USS George Washington Strike Group Departs from Busan

13 November 2025

From Commander, Task Force 70 / Carrier Strike Group

BUSAN, South Korea — Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5, embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62), USS Shoup (DDG 86), and USS Milius (DDG 69) departed Busan, Republic of Korea (ROK), after a scheduled port visit Nov. 9.

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Rear Adm. Eric Anduze, center, commander, Carrier Strike Group 5, and Capt. Timothy Waits, commanding officer of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), speak to Rear Adm. Sharif H. Calfee, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, during a welcoming ceremony at Busan Naval Base, Busan, Republic of Korea, Nov. 5, 2025. George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lillian Olen)

Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Christian Richter, from Pennsylvania, assigned to deck department, heaves a mooring line around a capstan on the fantail during a sea-and-anchor evolution aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while pulling into Busan, Republic of Korea, Nov. 5, 2025. George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bruce Morgan)

Capt. Timothy Waits, commanding officer of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), exchanges gifts with a Korean child during a welcoming ceremony at Busan Naval Base, Busan, Republic of Korea, Nov. 5, 2025. George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lillian Olen)

Rear Adm. Sharif H. Calfee, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, met with CSG 5 leadership and welcomed the crew of George Washington to Busan.

"USS George Washington Strike Group port visit to Busan underscores the unwavering commitment of the United States to the Republic of Korea and to maintaining security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region," said Calfee. "This port visit provided invaluable opportunities to strengthen interoperability with our ROK Navy allies, further enhancing our collective ability to respond to any challenge, as well as serving as a powerful demonstration of naval strength that sends a clear message of deterrence while reaffirming our enduring alliance."

The U.S. and ROK alliance have promoted peace and security in Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula for more than 70 years. George Washington last visited ROK in 2014. This port visit marked its return to reinforce the Navy’s commitment to a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. While in port, George Washington hosted visits from U.S. and ROK military leadership.

“Our first year back as the U.S. Navy’s premiere forward-deployed aircraft carrier would not be complete without a visit to Busan and engagements with our friends and long-standing allies in the Republic of Korea,” said Capt. Tim Waits, commanding officer of George Washington. “I’m incredibly grateful for the hospitality provided to us in Busan as well as the opportunities we had to work with and train alongside ROK Navy.”

The George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWACSG) departed Yokosuka, Japan for a scheduled underway, Sept. 30.

GWCSG consists of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15.

GWCSG is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet.

For more information, please contact the USS George Washington Public Affairs Officer at pao@cvn73.navy.mil.