The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) completed the Maintenance and Material Management Inspection (3MI), March 9.

While the final scores are still being recorded, initial estimates indicate a final score of 95 percent or better.

The 3M inspection is conducted every 24 months onboard an aircraft carrier to ensure the ship is being properly maintained and upkept for a projected 50-year life span.

During the five-day event, inspectors from Commander, Naval Air Forces (COMNAVAIRFOR) conducted over 250 supervised checks throughout the ship to ensure GHWB and its crew met material readiness standards.

"Every single Sailor had a role in how we performed during 3MI," said Capt. Sean Bailey, GHWB's commanding officer. "It was a collective effort, and the success of those Sailors who were picked to perform spot checks was enabled by the professional excellence of our entire 3M team."

What made this unique for GHWB is that its crew had just completed the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) the week prior and had little rest before the 3MI. Despite the high op-tempo, Sailors were successful in both inspections.

"It was unprecedented to schedule INSURV and 3MI back-to-back," said Bailey. "It was an extraordinary task and an extraordinary achievement to do very well in both."

Bailey announced the ship's success at an all-hands call held in the ship's hangar bay. He attributed the ship's success to the crew's pride in ownership and the extensiveness of their training.

"The excellent results we've received and the praise we got from the 3MI team speaks volumes for the crew as individuals and Sailors, and I couldn't be more proud," said Bailey. "Everything we did and how professionally we performed reflects what it means to be the absolute best ship in the Navy."

The ship is in port in Norfolk, Virginia, conducting sustainment exercises to maintain carrier readiness.

For more news from USS George H.W. Bush visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn77 or www.facebook.com/ussgeorgehwbush/.

For more news from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), visit www.navy.mil/.