USS George Washington Completes 200,000th Aircraft Recovery

The USS George Washington completed its 200,000th fixed-wing aircraft recovery while underway in the Indian Ocean on Tuesday. Lt. Steven Frazier of Strike Fighter Squadron 147 executed the milestone landing piloting a Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II.

The Yokosuka-based nuclear-powered supercarrier reached the mark while deploying to the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln. The ship has since entered the United States Central Command area of responsibility and is operating in the Arabian Sea alongside the USS George H.W. Bush and the USS Boxer to maintain a persistent regional presence.

Captain Nicholas DeLeo credited the achievement to the ship's arresting gear teams, maintainers, and watch-standers. Rear Adm. Jeffrey L. Heames stated the milestone demonstrates that U.S. carriers remain ready to launch and recover aircraft anywhere in defense of allies.