Around the clock, 365 days a year, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington's (CVN 73) security department protects Sailors from harm and serves as the first line of defense in force protection matters.

With a team of Master-At-Arms and Sailors temporarily assigned to them to support security's mission, they perform anti-terrorism measures, monitor force protection conditions, physical security and law enforcement duties for the ship and crew within Newport News Shipyard.

Even though George Washington isn't at the tip of the spear defending freedom, security's mission remains unchanged.

"Our manning is the same and we have just as much of a workload and responsibility as we did in Norfolk," said Chief Master-at -Arms Mark Collins.

"The mission for security regardless of where we are doesn't change."
Although their main mission hasn't changed with the ship's move, George Washington's security department does face a unique challenge in their new environment.

"The biggest challenge is we don't have the control that we had in Norfolk as far as pier access and things like that," said Collins. "There's a larger influx of civilians that are on the ship and we don't have jurisdiction over them."

Despite having different chains of command, both George Washington and Newport News Shipbuilding work together to keep everyone safe.

"We work hand-in-hand with shipyard security to accomplish the mission because at the end of the day safety is paramount," said Master at Arms 1st Class Fredrick Tanner. "We want to make sure ship's company as well as the shipyard workers are safe in all aspects."

Whether their checking bags, roving the ship, Floating Accommodation Facility or providing other support measures, the security department is ready for any additional requirements needed to accomplish the ship's Refueling and Complex Overhaul.

"We're also supporting the mission of the shipyard with any additional requirements or evolutions to ensure USS George Washington gets up and running in the next few years like it's supposed to," said Tanner. "Our ship forces are ready and alert and standing by for anything required of them."

With security and safety being top concerns, Sailors are reminded to follow the blue line within the shipyard, wear Personal Protective Equipment on the ship, wear the shipyard badge within the shipyard and ship, and maintain a level of situational awareness in and out of the shipyard.

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