“Deployments like Southern Seas strengthen maritime partnerships and build trust with our partners in the region.”
Rear Adm. Jim Aiken, Commander U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet
Southern Seas 2024 Overview
The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), with embarked Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, deployed from Norfolk, Va. April 25, 2024, to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility as a part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Southern Seas 2024. The carrier will be joined by USS Porter (DDG 78), USNS John Lenthall (T-AO-189) and USS Sampson (DDG 102) for engagements with partner nation maritime forces as the vessels circumnavigate the continent of South America.
Southern Seas 2024 will include subject matter expert exchanges and provide the opportunity for distinguished visitors from partner nations to see aircraft carrier operations up close. Southern Seas 2024 aims to enhance capability, improve interoperability, and strengthen maritime partnerships with countries throughout the region through joint, multinational and interagency exchanges and cooperation.
Southern Seas 2024 will feature an embarked international staff aboard USS George Washington that will conduct several planning exercises during the deployment. The international staff, comprised of approximately two dozen officers from 11 partner nations, will serve aboard USS George Washington. This staff will receive instruction from U.S. Naval War College professors and will work alongside embarked Destroyer Squadron 40 personnel to conduct detailed operational planning in support of operations at sea.
George Washington will complete a homeport change when the ship and crew replaces Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) as the forward-deployed Naval Forces-Japan (FDNF-J) aircraft carrier, forward-deployed to Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, this fall.
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Background
Southern Seas 2024 marks the 10th mission to the region since 2007 and the third time involving USS George Washington. The aircraft carrier also conducted Southern Seas 2008 and Southern Seas 2015. Like the previous deployments, Southern Seas 2024 will foster goodwill, strengthen maritime partnerships, counter threats, and build our team.