THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 6, 1994 TAG: 9408060227
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
The Norfolk-based carrier George Washington, which is in the Adriatic Sea, provided a special aerial jamming unit during the bombing of Serb-held positions near Sarajevo on Friday.
Other aircraft aboard the ship also could be called into action in NATO airstrikes in Bosnia if needed.
Commissioned in 1992, the Norfolk-based carrier is on its first deployment to the Mediterranean. It carries a crew of more than 6,000.
The airwing consists of the following:
Two squadrons of F-14B Tomcats, VF-142 Ghostriders and VF-143 Pukin' Dogs, both from the Oceana Naval Air station.
Two squadrons of F/A-18 Hornets, VFA-131 Wildcats and VFA-136 Knighthawks, both from the Cecil Fields Naval Air Station outside Jacksonville, Fla.
One squadron of A-6E Intruders and VA-34 Blue Blasters from the Oceana Naval Air Station.
One squadron of E-2C Hawkeyes and VAW-121 Bluetails from the Norfolk Naval Air Station.
One squadron of EA-6B Prowlers and VAQ-140 Patriots from the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
One squadron of S-3 Vikings and VS-31 Topcats from Cecil Field Naval Air Station.
One helicopter squadron, HS-5 Nightdippers, from the Jacksonville Naval Air Station.
One detail of ES-3A Shadows and VQ-6 Ravens from Cecil Field.
One detail of C-2 Greyhounds and VRC-40 Rawhides from the Norfolk Naval Air Station.
KEYWORDS: U.S. NAVY U.S.S GEORGE WASHINGTON by CNB