Monday, February 01, 2010

USS George H.W. Bush Completes Post Shakedown Availability

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Program Executive Office (PEO) Aircraft Carriers announced the successful completion of the Post Shakedown Availability/Selected Restricted Availability (PSA/SRA) for USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Jan. 28.

The newest and most advanced nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, and the last of the Nimitz class, Bush has been returned to fleet service by Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding.

"The successful completion of the PSA/SRA is a credit to the crew, the personnel from PEO Carriers, Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Air Systems Command, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, Naval Air Forces Atlantic and the shipbuilder," said Capt. Frank Simei, PEO In-Service Aircraft Carriers Program manager.

"Together they have returned USS George H.W. Bush to the fleet to begin a lifetime of service to our country."

George H. W. Bush's PSA/SRA began in June 2009. During the availability, various improvements were made to the ship, including combat systems equipment upgrades, and minor repairs. The aircraft carrier is homeported in Norfolk, Va.

George H.W. Bush was commissioned in January 2009 and delivered in May 2009. The ship is the 10th and final Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, and is expected to remain in service for the next 50 years.