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NWSA1454.  USS George Washington and USS Guam to relieve USS 
America, USS Wasp

     NORFOLK (NWSA) -- The Sailors and Marines of the USS George
Washington (CVN 73) Battle Group and the USS Guam (LPH 9) 
Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), will depart their home ports and 
bases on Jan. 26 for a regularly scheduled deployment.
     The George Washington Battle Group, commanded by RADM Henry
C. Giffin III, Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group Two, will
relieve the USS America (CV 66) Battle Group, which deployed last
August.
     The Guam ARG, commanded by CAPT William D. Young, Commander,
Amphibious Squadron 2, will relieve the USS Wasp (LHD 1) ARG.
     In December, the battle group and ARG participated in Joint
Task Force Exercise 96-1, their "final examination" before 
deployment, and the culmination of a year of intense preparation.
    "I'm exceptionally proud of this battle group," said Giffin. 
"We are ready to serve as the nation's fast response force
wherever and whenever needed."
     Self-contained, well-trained and fully prepared, the battle
group is ideally suited to operate "Forward ...from the sea" with 
a full range of capabilities, offering theater commanders a 
powerful force that is flexible, highly mobile and ready on 
arrival.
     ADM William J. Flanagan Jr., commander in chief, U.S.
Atlantic Fleet, said, "Forward-deployed, rotational forces are
the main product the Atlantic Fleet delivers to our customers,
the American taxpayer.  The men and women of this battle group
have worked hard to ensure they are ready to serve this nation. 
I'm very proud of what they have accomplished and confident they
will represent our nation well."
     The following ships and commands make up the USS George
Washington Battle Group:
Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group 2 
Commander, Destroyer Squadron 26
USS George Washington (CVN 73)
USS San Jacinto (CG 56)
     Helicopter Anti Submarine Squadron (Light) 48 Det. 8
USS Barry (DDG 52)
USS Stout (DDG 55)
USS Arthur W. Radford (DD 968)
     Helicopter Anti Submarine Squadron (Light) 46 Det. 7
USS Conolly (DD 979)
     Helicopter Anti Submarine Squadron (Light) 44 Det. 1
USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58)
     Helicopter Anti Submarine Squadron (Light) 42 Det. 4
USS Mount Baker (AE 34)
     Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 8, Det. 1
USS Merrimack (AO 179)
USS Scranton (SSN 756)
USS Baltimore (SSN 704)
Commander, Carrier Air Wing 7
     Fighter Squadron 143 (VF 143)
     Fighter-Attack Squadron 131 (VFA 131) 
     Fighter-Attack Squadron 136 (VFA 136) 
     Attack Squadron 34 (VA 34)
     Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 121 (VAW 121) 
     Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 140 (VAQ 140) 
     Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 31 (VS 31)
     Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 5 (HS 5) 
     Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 6 (VQ 6).
The USS Guam Amphibious Ready Group includes: 
Commander, Amphibious Squadron 2
USS Guam (LPH 9)
     Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 6, Det. 4
USS Trenton (LPD 14)
USS Tortuga (LSD 46)
USS Portland (LSD 37)
22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable  (22nd 
MEU SOC)
     Battalion Landing Team 2/2 (BLT 2/2)
     Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162 (Composite) 
     Marine Expeditionary Unit, Service Support Group 22.
                              -USN-