By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Devon Dow, USS George Washington Public Affairs
SINGAPORE (NNS) -- USS George Washington (CVN 73), with her combined crew of more than 5,000 Sailors, along with USS McCampbell (DDG 85) and USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) arrived in Singapore Aug. 11.
GW's crew will have the opportunity to enjoy visiting one of the world's most vibrant city-states, while fostering friendship and cultural relations.
Capt. David A. Lausman, GW's commanding officer, said he expects his crew's visit to Singapore to be a memorable and unique experience.
"This is a beautiful city; a great city to visit as a Sailor. I've been here several times during my naval career and Singapore keeps getting better and better. Coming to places like this is why many of our Sailors joined the Navy, to see the world," said Lausman.
While in Singapore, more than 260 GW Sailors have signed up to volunteer their time to support activities that generate goodwill between U.S. Sailors and their Singaporean hosts. A total of 13 different community service (COMSERV) projects are scheduled from Aug. 12-13, according to Lt. Benjamin Howard, a GW chaplain and one of the ship's COMSERV coordinators.
"Volunteering helps the GW form good partnerships and relations with other countries beyond just the military partnership. The host country gets to see the U.S. in action as their friend, trying to improve their communities and in small ways and better the lives of people in their communities," he said.
In addition to interacting with the locals, Sailors have signed up to participate in landscaping, cleaning and maintenance projects for a variety of Singapore-based organizations such as the Singapore Children's Society Sunbeam Place, the Genesis School for Special Education and the Asian Women's Welfare Association.
Other GW Sailors plan to make the most of their time in Singapore with one of eight different tours organized by the ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) division. These tours include a "night safari" at the Singapore Zoo and rides on the Singapore Flyer, which at 165 meters high is said to be the world's tallest Ferris wheel.
GW is commanded by Capt. David A. Lausman, the flagship of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group (CSG), which is commanded by Rear Adm. Dan Cloyd. The GW CSG includes Carrier Air Wing 5, Destroyer Squadron 15, and the guided missile cruisers USS Shiloh (CG 67) and USS Cowpens (CG 63).
