Timeline Dec. 1, 2005: Aircraft carrier George Washington will replace retiring carrier Kitty Hawk in Yokosuka, Japan, in 2008, Navy announces. April 7, 2008: George Washington leaves its home port of Norfolk, Va., headed for Japan via San Diego and Hawaii. May 22: Fire damages 80 rooms and melts hundreds of electrical cables on the carrier. May 27: The ship arrives in San Diego for assessment and repairs. Early August: George Washington and Kitty Hawk are expected to meet in San Diego to transfer equipment and about 600 personnel. Late August: Repairs on George Washington expected to be complete, and then the carrier will travel to Japan. Kitty Hawk will proceed to Bremerton, Wash., for decommissioning.

CORONADO – Hey, who wouldn't love a paid, summerlong holiday in picturesque San Diego?

The 2,800 sailors aboard the aircraft carrier George Washington are getting just that, although not all of them are loving it. They're staying in town after their ship caught fire May 22 and came to North Island Naval Air Station in Coronado for repairs.

The carrier was traveling from its former home in Norfolk, Va., to Yokosuka, Japan, where it would replace the retiring carrier Kitty Hawk.

Crew members for the George Washington still don't know when they'll be reunited with family members, plus household goods they haven't seen since early April.

“Not knowing, this waiting – that's the worst part,” said Seaman Martin Carrillo Jr., 22, of Las Vegas.

On Tuesday, the sailors were the honored guests at an afternoon party called “Day of Champions.”

The military-affiliated group Yellow Ribbon Team put on the event with backing from Navy Region Southwest and the San Diego Military Advisory Council. The party featured free food and soft drinks, a blues band, and visits from Padres and Chargers players.

More than 1,100 sailors turned out.

“It's very, very cool,” said Cmdr. Bill Skinner, the George Washington's supply officer. “The city hasn't forgotten about taking care of its sailors.”

The Navy hasn't determined the cause of the fire or how much the repairs will cost, said Lt. Cmdr. Bill Urban, the ship's spokesman.

Most of the 80 rooms that suffered smoke, heat or water damage have been repaired, he said. But more than 400 electrical cables, plus an extensive fiber-optic network, must be rebuilt painstakingly. The best estimate is that the work will wrap up in late August.

The delay has left in limbo 497 family members who are moving from Norfolk to Japan but don't know for sure when the ship's crew will arrive.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Kent Landis put his wife and daughter on a plane to Tokyo Monday – just before heading to the party.

“It's difficult for all of us, up and down the chain of command,” said Landis, 24, of Hunterdon, Pa. “But we've been adjusting all right, I guess.”

The carrier's sailors are enjoying the sights and gentle breezes of San Diego as best they can, with limited transportation options and cramped living quarters aboard ship.

“The worst part for all of us is not having a vehicle,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Redmon, 25, of Marianna, Fla. “It's like having your leg cut off.”

The ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation department has provided van service around the North Island base and bus trips to Disneyland, Six Flags Magic Mountain, the San Diego Zoo and the Del Mar Fair.

For the few with family members living nearby, the San Diego sojourn has been a mixed blessing.

“It's great to be close to my parents,” said Lt. Kittima Boonsirisermsook, 29, of Santa Ana. “But I joined the Navy so I could see the world, not get stuck in San Diego. I really want to go to Japan.”

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