COMCARSTRKGRU FIVE
10/1/2011 
BUSAN, ROK - USS George Washington (CVN 73) welcomed more than 2,600 visitors during an open house event Oct 1 

BUSAN, Republic of Korea - Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Enrique Montez from Okinawa, Japan helps a guest put on firefighting equipment during USS George Washington's (CVN 73) open house in Busan, Republic of Korea. The open house allowed guests to tour parts of the ship, enhancing the relationship of the two countries. This port visit marks George Washington's second time in Busan, last pulling into the port on July 21, 2010. As the Navy's only full-time forward-deployed carrier, George Washington's mission is to help ensure security and stability in the Western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cody R. Boyd/Released)
USS George Washington (CVN 73) Hosts Open House in Busan, Republic of Korea 
by Lt. Cmdr. David Hecht, USS George Washington (CVN 73) Public Affairs 
BUSAN, Republic of Korea - USS George Washington (CVN 73) welcomed more than 2,600 visitors during an open house event while in port Busan, Republic of Korea Oct. 1.

The event was part of the Republic of Korea’s (ROK) “Armed Forces Day” celebration, a day dedicated to recognizing and honoring the military forces of the Republic of Korea, similar to the holiday of the same name celebrated in the United States. USS George Washington, along with other U.S. and ROK ships, participated in the event.

Tourists were welcomed into the hangar bay of the Navy’s only full-time forward-deployed nuclear-powered aircraft carrier where damage control, medical, and aviation ordnance displays were set up along with a helicopter on static display.  Once they completed that portion of the rotation, visitors enjoyed a ride on an aircraft elevator up to the flight deck where aircraft representing all of George Washington’s missions were on display including F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets, EA-6B Prowlers, E-2C Hawkeyes and various helicopters.

  The event was designed to not only offer an up-close view of military hardware, but more importantly, an opportunity to meet U.S. Navy Sailors one-one-one.  Dozens of Sailors from various job backgrounds mingled with guests in order to answers questions or just pose for photos.

This open house really goes a long way in strengthening the relationship between our countries and our already great alliance,” said Lt. j.g. Arnold M. Luminaries, the sales officer aboard George Washington.

This was George Washington’s second time in Busan, but the first that the ship has ever been open to the public.  It was an opportunity not lost on Koreans, both civilian and military.

For Koreans, it’s a rare chance to be on a carrier like this,” said Seaman Han Jang, a Sailor in the ROK navy.  “It was wonderful seeing everything on the ship

Coordinating and setting up an event like this is what symbolizes the main theme between the ROK and U.S. navies, said Jang.
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