Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 and the French Carrier Air Wing fly over the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brooke Macchietto.

The Carrier Mission is to provide a credible, sustainable, independent forward presence and conventional deterrence in peacetime. To operate as the cornerstone of joint/allied maritime expeditionary forces in times of crisis. To operate and support aircraft attacks on enemies, protect friendly forces and engage in sustained independent operations in war.


USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is the 10th and final Nimitz-class supercarrier of the United States Navy

Our Priorities first and foremost, USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) is a warship designed to provide adaptable and decisive combat power to our national leadership. We have many critical non-combat capabilities and responsibilities – they are all important. We will enthusiastically embrace and excel at any assigned mission but our ultimate benchmarks will always be combat readiness and combat effectiveness.

Guiding Principles, like our namesake, we serve our country with integrity, dignity, and humility. Mission excellence is achieved through ownership and personal responsibility. The material condition of our ship is critical to mission effectiveness. Sailors and their families are our most important asset. Naval Service is a team sport.


(July 14, 2010) Former President George H.W. Bush watches flight operations from the landing signal officer’s platform aboard the aircraft carrier that bears his name, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). Bush and his wife, Barbara, spent their time aboard watching flight operations, touring the ship and visiting the crew. George H.W. Bush is conducting training in the Atlantic Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nicholas Hall

Namesake: George H.W. Bush 41st President of the United States
Class: Nimitz-class Supercarrier
Builder: Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding in VA
Flagship: Carrier Strike Group 10 Cost: $6.2 billion
Laid Down: 6 September 2003
Launched: 9 October 2006
Christened: 7 October 2006
Sponsored by: Dorothy Bush Koch
Commissioned: 10 January 2009
Homeport: NS Norfolk, Virginia
Motto: Freedom at Work
Nicknames: Avenger
Status: active service
Displacement: 97,000 tons
Length: Overall: 1,092 feet (332.8 m)
Waterline: 1,040 feet (317.0 M)
Propulsion: 2 x Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors, 4 steam turbines, 4 x shafts, 260,000 shp (194 MW)
Speed: 30+ knots (56+km/h; 35+mph)
Range: Unlimited distance; 20-25 years
Complement: Ships Company: 3,532, Airwing: 2,480
Sensors & processing systems: SPS-48E 3-D air search radar, AN/SPS-49(V)1 2-D air search radar, SPQ-9B fire control radar, 2 x SPN-46 air traffic control radars, SPN-43C air traffic control radar, SPN-41 instrument landing system radar, 3 x Mk 91 NSSM guidance systems, 3 x Mk 95 radars
Aircraft Carried: 90 fixed wing and helicopters

An F/A-18F Super Hornet launches from the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Steven Edgar
Information on this carrier courtesy of the United States Navy and www.public.navy.mil/airfor/cvn77/Pages/USS%20GEORGE%20H.W.%20BUSH%20(CVN%2077).aspx