USS George Washington (CVN 73) and embarked Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) returned to Naval Station Norfolk June 30, after completing flight deck certification.

Flight deck certification is a key milestone for George Washington’s return to operation at sea, and also marked the first time the ship and CVW-1 aircraft and personnel integrated and operated together since the ship completed a refueling and complex overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding.

“As always, I am incredibly proud of our USS George Washington warfighters, and the incredible support from the Carrier Air Wing One team,” said Capt. Brent C. Gaut, the aircraft carrier’s commanding officer. “When you look back at what we have accomplished over the past week, meeting momentous milestone after milestone, from fuel certification, flight deck certification, to our first underway replenishment in six years – our team continues to demonstrate our extraordinary grit and determination in meeting and exceeding the mark as we take our place as our great nation’s premier CVN asset.”

Flight deck certification is required for the carrier to embark aircraft and is designed to provide operational continuity and proficiency training for carrier crews. During flight deck certification, the carrier is evaluated on its ability to launch and recover aircraft in a safe manner in both day and night time operations.

During the three-day evolution, George Washington conducted 247 day and night catapult launches and arrested landings, simulated emergencies, night taxi drills and hangar bay aircraft spotting drills. Prior to integrated operations with the air wing, an inspection team from Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic (CNAL) visited George Washington to evaluate air department’s ability to respond to flight deck casualties and firefighting. The ship also achieved fuel system certification and conducted carrier qualifications in support of CWV-1.

NNS redelivered CVN 73 to the Navy following successful sea trials in May.