DVIDS – News – George Washington Strike Group completes Southern Seas 2024

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 4, 2024) – The George Washington Carrier Strike Group has completed Southern Seas 2024 after successfully circumnavigating the South American continent on July 4.

Southern Seas 2024 was part of the U.S. Southern Command’s Enduring Promise initiative and reflects the United States’ continued commitment to friendship, partnership and solidarity with the Americas, while providing an opportunity to enhance interoperability with partner nation navies.

Participating nations included Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and the United States.

“This deployment to South Pacific 2024 required extensive planning and communication from our team, embarked international personnel, and participating South Pacific countries, and I am extremely proud of our ability to work together to plan and execute this mission,” said Rear Admiral Alexis Walker, Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10. “South Pacific enabled us to build stronger relationships within the region and share knowledge and expertise through subject matter exchanges. We are now better equipped to work together during contingency situations that often require multinational responses.”

During their deployments in the region, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) with embarked CSG-10 and elements of Carrier Air Wing 7, the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Porter (DDG 78) and USS Sampson (102), the Henry J. Kaiser-class supply tanker USNS John Lenthal (T-AO-189), and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James (WMSL 754) conducted event-driven scenarios, supported multinational naval engagements, large-scale joint exercises, cross-deck operations, and subject matter expert exchanges with participating partner nation navies to train interoperability in multiple domains.

“The participation of George Washington and supporting commands in Southern Seas 2024 demonstrates our continued commitment to maintaining unity, security and stability in the region,” said Captain Tim Waits, commanding officer of George Washington. “What we have accomplished has enhanced interoperability and mutual trust and understanding. My crew has demonstrated the ability to work with partner nations toward a common goal. There is nothing we cannot accomplish when we work together as a team.”

Senior officers from 11 partner nations, as well as professors from the U.S. Naval War College and personnel from Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 40, boarded the George Washington to conduct detailed operational planning in support of operations at sea. International personnel on board included Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom and the United States.
“The embarked international personnel was a new and amazing feature of Southern Seas 2024. It was an honor to lead this group of 29 joint, multinational officers as they joined with the battle group, air wing and the carrier crew itself to plan and execute over 30 bilateral exercises in six countries,” said Cmdr. Michael L. Stampfler, foreign area officer chief of embarked international personnel. “From exchanging patches and coins with the crew on the mess decks to weekly fireside chats with the battle group commander, this team has taken the full U.S. Navy experience and built lasting relationships on many levels.”

In addition, George Washington hosted high-level visitor events, including official receptions in Brazil and Peru, and welcomed high-ranking military and civilian officials aboard to tour the ship, meet with senior policymakers, and interact with Sailors.
The GWCSG transited the Strait of Magellan and made stops in ports in Brazil and Peru, where seafarers participated in onboard receptions for distinguished visitors, community projects, and shore-based morale-boosting, wellness and recreational activities.

The George Washington’s embarked air squadron consists of the “Argonauts” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103, “Patriots” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, “Sun Kings” of Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 116, “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, and “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46.

As an integral part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and also provides realistic and relevant training necessary to flawlessly execute our Navy’s timeless missions of sea control and power projection. U.S. 3rd Fleet works closely with other fleets to provide commanders with capable, ready forces to deploy and win in everyday competition, crises, and conflict.