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George Washington Strike Group arrives in Guam
By MCS3 BEVERLY J. LESONIK
USS George Washington Public Affairs
APRA HARBOR, Guam—The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam, and Arleigh-burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey, as part of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group arrived in Apra Harbor, Guam for a goodwill port visit on Oct. 28.
This is the strike group’s second visit to Guam during its 2014 patrol.
“Our second time here is another opportunity for Sailors to take advantage of what Guam has to offer,” said Capt. Greg Fenton, George Washington’s commanding officer. “During our visit, sailors have several opportunities to have great experiences with [community relation] projects and [Morale, Welfare and Recreation] events.”
According to Lt. Cmdr. Michael Tagaloa, one of George Washington’s Chaplains, community relation projects are an important part of building and strengthen relationships with its allies and partners.
“Each of our three projects aims to highlight the talents of our sailors,” said Tagaloa. “We are able to have a valuable exchange of knowledge and culture through this interaction with the people of Guam.”
Other than community and cultural exchanges, Guam offers a variety of native cuisine, tropical water activities and jungle landscape hikes. Strike group sailors get all of this and, since Guam is a U.S. territory, still get a chance to experience a little bit of home.
“For the second time in Guam I will be participating in a [community relations event] where I will be able to influence the next generation of Carbudillo Elementary School children against doing drugs,” said Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 3rd Class Sabian Tise, from Las Cruces, New Mexico. “At some point after that I will go to the beach and relax near the waves. I feel like Guam is going to be a great place to rest, get a tan and recompose myself.”
The George Washington Carrier Strike Group is on patrol in the 7th Fleet area of operations supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
