Latest news with #MarkLangford
Fox News
31-07-2025
- General
- Fox News
Navy calls off search for missing sailor assigned to USS George Washington near Australia
The U.S. Navy has called off a search for a sailor assigned to the USS George Washington amid reports that he possibly went overboard while the ship was sailing north of Australia. The sailor was reported overboard on the aircraft carrier on Monday as the ship was transiting the Timor Sea, the Navy said. The search effort involving the George Washington, its carrier strike group, as well as the Australian Defence (sic) Force and Australian Border Force, concluded at 12:40 p.m. Wednesday. "USS George Washington expresses sincere condolences to those impacted by this loss and is actively engaged with the crew to make services available to tend to their needs during this challenging time," Lt. Cmdr. Mark Langford, a spokesperson for the ship, told USNI News. The Navy is withholding the sailor's name until 24 hours after next-of-kin notification, per Navy policy. The George Washington was carrying out its first patrol since returning to Japan in November 2024, USNI News reported. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Navy.
The Sun
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
US aircraft carrier makes Philippines port call
MANILA: The nuclear-powered US carrier George Washington arrived off the Philippine capital Thursday for a port visit, as the two allies increase defence cooperation aimed at contesting China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea. The Nimitz-class vessel's port call came the same day that China's first domestically produced aircraft carrier, the Shandong, sailed into Hong Kong. Beijing claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea, through which more than 60 percent of global maritime trade passes, despite an international ruling its assertion has no merit. 'The US Navy along with our allies and partners are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific,' the ship's spokesman, Lieutenant-Commander Mark Langford, told AFP by email, without offering further details about the visit. 'These operations demonstrate the commitment to stability in the region, a commitment we uphold throughout the year and regardless of current events,' Langford said, calling the Philippines a 'long-standing and critical ally'. Manila and Washington have deepened their cooperation since President Ferdinand Marcos took office in 2022 and began pushing back on Beijing's South China Sea claims. Bound by a 1951 mutual defence treaty, the two allies conduct frequent maritime exercises in the South China Sea. The Philippine and US coast guards in May conducted their first-ever joint military drills in the archipelago nation's coastal waters. The Shandong, which sailed off the northern Philippines in April, arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday after concluding combat drills in the western Pacific alongside fellow Chinese aircraft carrier the Liaoning. The US Department of Defense said in a December report that China numerically has the largest navy in the world, with a battle force of more than 370 ships and submarines. – AFP
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First Post
03-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
US aircraft carrier George Washington arrives off Philippine capital for port visit
The Nimitz-class vessel's port call came the same day that China's first domestically produced aircraft carrier, the Shandong, sailed into Hong Kong read more This photo shows a general view of US aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) shortly after berthing at Manila Bay in Manila on July 3, 2025. AFP The nuclear-powered US carrier George Washington arrived off the Philippine capital Thursday for a port visit, as the two allies increase defence cooperation aimed at contesting China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea. The Nimitz-class vessel's port call came the same day that China's first domestically produced aircraft carrier, the Shandong, sailed into Hong Kong. Beijing claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea, through which more than 60 percent of global maritime trade passes, despite an international ruling its assertion has no merit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The US Navy along with our allies and partners are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific,' the ship's spokesman, Lieutenant-Commander Mark Langford, told AFP by email, without offering further details about the visit. 'These operations demonstrate the commitment to stability in the region, a commitment we uphold throughout the year and regardless of current events,' Langford said, calling the Philippines a 'long-standing and critical ally'. Manila and Washington have deepened their cooperation since President Ferdinand Marcos took office in 2022 and began pushing back on Beijing's South China Sea claims. Bound by a 1951 mutual defence treaty, the two allies conduct frequent maritime exercises in the South China Sea. The Philippine and US coast guards in May conducted their first-ever joint military drills in the archipelago nation's coastal waters. The Shandong, which sailed off the northern Philippines in April, arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday after concluding combat drills in the western Pacific alongside fellow Chinese aircraft carrier the Liaoning. The US Department of Defense said in a December report that China numerically has the largest navy in the world, with a battle force of more than 370 ships and submarines. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Miami Herald
30-05-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Photos Show US Aircraft Carrier Preparing for Patrol on Pacific Front Line
The United States nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington-homeported in Japan-continues its preparations for an upcoming patrol in the western Pacific Ocean. Lieutenant Commander Mark Langford, the George Washington's public affairs officer, told Newsweek that the aircraft carrier was "focused on ensuring that the U.S. military remains the world's most combat-credible fighting force capable of maintaining peace through strength." The George Washington is one of the American naval vessels forward-deployed in Japan-a major treaty ally of the U.S. in Northeast Asia. It returned to its home port at Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo in November following 2,117 days of maintenance in Virginia. The 100,000-ton warship left Yokosuka naval base earlier this week, while its naval aviators were conducting field carrier landing practice on a Japanese island in the Pacific Ocean, simulating landings on the George Washington's flight deck to obtain landing qualifications. While the George Washington and its aviation unit prepared for patrol, the Chinese navy-the world's largest by hull count, with more than 370 vessels-deployed the aircraft carriers CNS Liaoning and CNS Shandong to the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, respectively. The George Washington conducted consolidated cargo and fueling-at-sea operations with the chartered tanker Badlands Trader on Wednesday at an undisclosed location in waters south of Yokosuka, according to photos released by the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command. The aircraft carrier was underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. Seventh Fleet's area of operations in support of "a free and open Indo-Pacific," Langford said. Both the western Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean are the Seventh Fleet's operating area. Official photos also show that the Carrier Air Wing 5-attached to the George Washington-conducted field carrier landing practice at Iwo To, a Japanese island 750 miles south of Tokyo. The training began on May 19 and is scheduled to end on Saturday. Participating carrier-based fixed-wing aircraft included the F-35C and F/A-18E/F fighter jets, the EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft, and the E-2D airborne command and control aircraft. Pilots performed repetitive "touch and go" landings during the training on the small island. "[This is the training] that is required for Air Wing 5 air crews to get ready to go to sea," said Captain William Fallon, the assistant chief of staff for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan/Navy Region Japan, adding that the island provided a realistic practice environment. The George Washington's carrier air wing is also known as the "air wing of the future," said Langford, referring to the inclusion of the fifth-generation F-35C fighter aircraft, which features "advanced stealth technology" and provides "unmatched lethality and survivability." The U.S. Naval Forces Japan/Navy Region Japan said on Friday: "[Field carrier landing practice] is a required flight training for pilot qualification and proficiency that precedes aircraft carrier landing operations, ensuring warfighting readiness in support of regional security and stability in the U.S. Indo-Pacific region." The U.S. Navy said of the USS George Washington's return to Japan: "George Washington is Seventh Fleet's premiere forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States' commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and operates alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy's largest numbered fleet." It was not immediately clear when the George Washington would begin its first patrol after returning to Japan seven months ago. It also remains to be seen whether it will conduct joint operations with its sister ship, the USS Nimitz, which is in the South China Sea. Related Articles American Drone Company Claims Major Breakthrough Over Chinese CompetitorsChinese Bombers Seen in South China Sea Amid US Aircraft Carrier PatrolU.S. Ally Looks to Buy Chinese J-35 Stealth JetsU.S. Responds to Gaza Aid Mission's Chaotic Start 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
30-05-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Photos Show US Aircraft Carrier Preparing for Patrol on Pacific Front Line
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington—homeported in Japan—continues its preparations for an upcoming patrol in the western Pacific Ocean. Lieutenant Commander Mark Langford, the George Washington's public affairs officer, told Newsweek that the aircraft carrier was "focused on ensuring that the U.S. military remains the world's most combat-credible fighting force capable of maintaining peace through strength." Why It Matters The George Washington is one of the American naval vessels forward-deployed in Japan—a major treaty ally of the U.S. in Northeast Asia. It returned to its home port at Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo in November following 2,117 days of maintenance in Virginia. The 100,000-ton warship left Yokosuka naval base earlier this week, while its naval aviators were conducting field carrier landing practice on a Japanese island in the Pacific Ocean, simulating landings on the George Washington's flight deck to obtain landing qualifications. A Japanese media representative capturing a United States Navy F-35C fighter jet as it conducted a "touch and go" during field carrier landing practice at Iwo To in Japan on May 25. A Japanese media representative capturing a United States Navy F-35C fighter jet as it conducted a "touch and go" during field carrier landing practice at Iwo To in Japan on May 25. Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dyxan K. Williams/U.S. Navy While the George Washington and its aviation unit prepared for patrol, the Chinese navy—the world's largest by hull count, with more than 370 vessels—deployed the aircraft carriers CNS Liaoning and CNS Shandong to the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, respectively. What To Know The George Washington conducted consolidated cargo and fueling-at-sea operations with the chartered tanker Badlands Trader on Wednesday at an undisclosed location in waters south of Yokosuka, according to photos released by the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command. Check out these images. @MSCSealift chartered ship Motor Tanker Badlands Trader (T-AOT 5582) conducted consolidated cargo operations (CONSOL) with @GW_CVN73 May 28 at sea south of Yokosuka, Japan. 🚢⛽💪 — U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (@MSCSealift) May 29, 2025 The aircraft carrier was underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. Seventh Fleet's area of operations in support of "a free and open Indo-Pacific," Langford said. Both the western Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean are the Seventh Fleet's operating area. Official photos also show that the Carrier Air Wing 5—attached to the George Washington—conducted field carrier landing practice at Iwo To, a Japanese island 750 miles south of Tokyo. The training began on May 19 and is scheduled to end on Saturday. Participating carrier-based fixed-wing aircraft included the F-35C and F/A-18E/F fighter jets, the EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft, and the E-2D airborne command and control aircraft. Pilots performed repetitive "touch and go" landings during the training on the small island. "[This is the training] that is required for Air Wing 5 air crews to get ready to go to sea," said Captain William Fallon, the assistant chief of staff for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan/Navy Region Japan, adding that the island provided a realistic practice environment. The George Washington's carrier air wing is also known as the "air wing of the future," said Langford, referring to the inclusion of the fifth-generation F-35C fighter aircraft, which features "advanced stealth technology" and provides "unmatched lethality and survivability." What People Are Saying The U.S. Naval Forces Japan/Navy Region Japan said on Friday: "[Field carrier landing practice] is a required flight training for pilot qualification and proficiency that precedes aircraft carrier landing operations, ensuring warfighting readiness in support of regional security and stability in the U.S. Indo-Pacific region." The U.S. Navy said of the USS George Washington's return to Japan: "George Washington is Seventh Fleet's premiere forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States' commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and operates alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy's largest numbered fleet." What Happens Next It was not immediately clear when the George Washington would begin its first patrol after returning to Japan seven months ago. It also remains to be seen whether it will conduct joint operations with its sister ship, the USS Nimitz, which is in the South China Sea.
