USS George Washington (CVN-73) has finally arrived in the Philippines Thursday afternoon. US sent the aircraft carrier to assist the Philippine government in the relief and rescue operations in areas heavily affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda. According to the US Navy website, the carrier is bringing 5,000 sailors and more than 80 aircraft, which came from HK for a port visit. Embarked on board USS George Washington, is Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5), it added. However, it is still unclear if other US carriers are already in the Philippine coast. US Navy said that the aircraft will be accompanied by cruisers USS Antietam (CG-54) and USS Cowpens (CG-63) and the destroyer USS Mustin (DDG-89), together with supply ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE-10) and USS Lassen (DDG-82). The pentagon said that it has massive amounts of water and food, aside from the $20 million of immediate aid from the US government. The US also ordered the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) to be ready to support the ongoing disaster relief efforts in the country.
