George Washington Dental Team Boosts Readiness in U.S. 5th Fleet

Official Statements

• U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet, November 13: “Arabian Sea (Nov. 13, 2026) - A dental tiger team from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) embarked on six destroyers during its deployment, providing dental care to more than 600 Sailors - most recently the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86), to provide annual dental exams to the crew, supporting operational readiness while ships operate in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.”

• U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet, November 13: “Shoup, assigned to Carrier Strike Group 5, does not have an embarked dentist. However, George Washington’s dental team is only a short flight away. “Typically, Sailors will get their dental exams done back in Yokosuka or homeport,” said Lt. Jeniveve Howard, a general dentist aboard George Washington. “By going over there, we can get them up to date, off the hit list and back to work.”

• U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet, November 13: “Ships from the strike group and other ships in the area have conducted continuous operations without access to the routine and required dental care Sailors need to maintain operational readiness. Shoup is one of several ships that received dental care from George Washington's dental team, who also is charged with the care of approximately 5,000 Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier.”

• U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet, November 13: “USS George Washington’s dental teams' ability to embark aboard ships throughout the fleet is an important readiness multiplier,” said Capt. Nicholas DeLeo, commanding officer of George Washington. “By delivering care where our Sailors are operating, the team helps keep personnel healthy, deployable, and focused on sustaining operations across the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.” Tiger teams are temporary, specialized groups that deploy to another unit to provide support when normal shore-based services are unavailable.”

• U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet, November 13: “This deployment alone, George Washington’s tiger team has embarked aboard six ships: USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS John Finn (DDG 113), USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) and now the Shoup. Those visits contributed to dental care of 609 Sailors and an increase of health readiness from 80% to 95% throughout the region, with plans to continue providing support in the area.”

• U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet, November 13: “It's not too often that we get to operate like this where we can integrate with a carrier and take advantage of a lot of the services that are common aboard said carrier,” said Shoup Command Master Chief Michael Morrison. “In times like this, where the dental team can come to us, it definitely helps our ability to stay in the fight, to take care of our Sailors and make sure that we can be on station conducting the nation's business for as long as we need to be.”

• U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet, November 13: “Upon arrival, the tiger team quickly converted Shoup’s small medical clinic into a functional dental space, ready to conduct checkups. Their first patient was the ship’s commanding officer. Over the next two days, 119 Sailors - roughly one-third of the crew - received annual exams or were scheduled to fly to George Washington for follow-up dental care.”

• U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet, November 13: “After the second day of exams, the team toured Shoup to see the various systems onboard, and how life aboard a destroyer differs from life aboard an aircraft carrier, including the closer crew dynamic, smaller spaces and distinct rhythm of daily operations. The tiger team concluded their visit by celebrating the Navy’s 251st birthday before packing their equipment, returning to George Washington and resuming routine operations. The visit left the fleet with improved dental readiness for continued operations in the region.”

• U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet, November 13: “George Washington is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East.”