DATE: Thursday, November 20, 1997           TAG: 9711190532

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: AT SEA 

TYPE: Military 

SOURCE: BY ISAAC O'DELL II 

                                            LENGTH:   71 lines

GW MAKES A HABIT OF HELPING OUT IN THE GULF

The aircraft carrier George Washington, during its three years of active service, has become known as the national command authority's 911 emergency service for the Persian Gulf.

During its relatively brief history of active service, the carrier has gone through the Suez Canal an amazing seven times. Its most recent passage was this week, en route to bolster the American presence in the Persian Gulf.

For the crew, it's an opportunity to take a stand for democracy. Each time the ship has passed through the canal, the feelings have been the same.

In October 1994, during GW's maiden deployment, Iraqi forces were reported to be assembling uncomfortably close to the border of Kuwait, ostensibly for a ``training exercise.'' GW, which had already made two transits of the Suez Canal during that cruise, was summoned to head back to the ``ditch'' and provide a pre-emptive projection of power in the gulf.

The 1996 deployment saw the ``Spirit of Freedom,'' as GW is known, going through the canal in place of the aircraft carrier Nimitz, which had been diverted from its operations in the gulf region to provide military support to U.S. naval forces off the coast of China.

Now, approximately six weeks into GW's third deployment, the standoff between the United Nations and Iraq has necessitated that the GW join the Nimitz in the familiar waters of the Persian Gulf.

In response to the national command directive, GW made its seventh transit of the Suez Canal, passing through shortly after receiving orders last Friday. By the time you read this, GW should be nearly in place in the Persian Gulf.

For many sailors, the thought of traveling through the Suez Canal was nearly as fantastic as taking a trip to the moon. However, it was old hat to some GW veterans.

Some have seen the ``ditch'' more often than they've seen national landmarks and tourist attractions at home. Personnelman Third Class James R. Linn of the educational services office has been on board GW since February 1994, and has been through the canal on each transit.

Linn is most impressed by the fact that the waterway is narrower in most places than the GW is long.

``It's a pretty tight fit for us,'' said Linn, a native of Clinton, Ark. ``You can throw a Frisbee from the ship to the edge of the canal.''

However, for other GW crew members, it was their first trip into the region. Aviation electronics technician Jose Lopez of Sea Control Squadron 32, who has been in the Navy for 18 months, is a canal rookie. For him, the ship's operational shift presents an opportunity to enter uncharted territory.

``The only gulf I've ever seen is the Gulf of Mexico,'' said Lopez, who hails from Chicago.

The Nimitz and its supporting battle group will receive a powerful ally in the GW, which holds the Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Battle Efficiency Award for Operational Excellence. GW is supported in this mission by the guided-missile cruiser Normandy, the guided-missile destroyer Carney, the fast-attack submarine Annapolis and the fast combat support ship Seattle.

While participating in Mediterranean Sea operations, Carrier Wing One aboard the GW has kept itself in top fighting shape, like a champion boxer whose greatest challenge, for all he knows, could come tomorrow.

Although crew members may be disappointed about missing a scheduled port visit to Antalya, Turkey, the prevailing sentiment is that a beefed-up military presence is needed in the gulf.

``Why not have two carriers with over 140 planes in the area, instead of one carrier with 70 planes?'' asked aviation boatswain's mate handler Kevin Martin.

Lopez agreed.

``We are in this business not just to protect ourselves,'' Lopez said, ``but other nations as well.'' MEMO: Isaac O'Dell II is a journalist second class aboard the aircraft

carrier George Washington.

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