Arabian Gulf (Mar. 6, 2004) - The Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) pulls along side of USS George Washington (CVN 73) during a vertical replenishment. The Norfolk, Va. based nuclear aircraft carrier and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) are on a scheduled deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Brien Aho. (RELEASED)