SAILORS from the USS George Washington have swarmed to the Brisbane CBD ready to spend up big.

The 6000 sailors were given a minimal briefing before setting foot in the River City, but were told to “behave yourself” .

PICTURES: Brisbane welcomes US sailors

CLOSE UP: On board the aircraft carrier

The naval personnel say they are loving their Brisbane experience and are looking forward to what the weekend brings.

media_camera Fighter pilots from the USS George Washington, Brian Jacobs and Alex Smithe. Picture: Chris Honnery

The crew said they were relying on local knowledge when quizzed on the best spots in Brisbane to check out.

“We’re just asking a lot of the locals and seeing what they have to say, follow the crowd is probably then best method.”

media_camera Sailors Rob, Marlon, and Quintin arrive at the Port of Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

The injection of sailors into the local nightlife has been welcomed by venue managers.

Pig ‘N’ Whistle venue manager Jack Nicholson said the venue was bursting with patrons.

“It’s welcomed, that’s for sure. The place is filled with women who are looking to find a nice sailor,” he joked.

“They (the sailors) have been very well behaved, most of them are on a curfew.

“They get a bad wrap, every time they’ve been here they’ve been great, compared to some of the groups you get in here.

“The bar girls are loving it, they come in here and spend great money and they tip plenty so we’re definitely not complaining,” he said.

Many of the sailors are already adapting to the Australian culture, flocking to popular Brisbane pubs.

With beers in hand and the AFL on the big screens, the US troops are settling in quite easy with the locals.

Earlier on Friday afternoon, thousands of sailors started heading for the Gold Coast and Brisbane, ready to blow off some steam after a month at sea aboard aircraft carrier USS George Washington.

The 74m-high vessel had earlier docked at the Port of Brisbane.

Forty buses packed with personnel left the port this afternoon to start their five-day break in the southeast before taking part in annual war games, Operation Talisman Sabre.

“I don’t know a sailor in the fleet that doesn’t like to come to Australia,” said Rear Admiral John Alexander, Commander of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group.

“It’s one of the best-quality port visits that we have and we’re here to enjoy ourselves, spend some time with the Australian people.

“Thanks for opening your city to us and we look forward to a great time here.”

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Sailors said they were planning to check out Queensland’s “renowned” nightlife, sightsee, shop and snorkel.

Most said they would head to the Gold Coast to party and spend some time on the beach.

The US consulate has also arranged a ship tour for Starlight Foundation children, hospital visits by sailors and personnel to help restore work on the WWII frigate HMAS Diamantina, and the Queensland Maritime Museum.

The US Navy will also take on teams from Queensland police and emergency services in basketball and soccer.

OVERNIGHT: Brisbane braced for sailors’ ‘pash and dash’

media_camera Bartender Rosie Gordon at the Royal George Hotel in Fortitude Valley. Picture: Mark Calleja

PUBS in Brisbane are already turning red, white and blue in anticipation of a storm of sailors blowing through town looking for beers and a quick “pash and dash”.

It has already been dubbed “fleet week” by some publicans hoping to cash in on the 6000 US sailors stepping on to the city’s shores today looking to blow off steam after being cramped on board the USS George Washington.

Lusty locals looking for a little love with a man or woman in uniform are also being targeted in what is set to be a mini boom for the hospitality industry.

HELLO SAILORS: Brisbane ready for USS George Washington

The usually Japan-based nuclear-powered aircraft carrier drops anchor in Brisbane, stopping off to give its crew some R&R before taking part in war games with the Australian Defence Force.

The ship, which is 24-storeys high and capable of carrying 75 aircraft, is in Australia for Operation Talisman Sabre.

media_camera USS George Washington arrives in Brisbane. Pic: Darren England

With the naval powerhouse expected to remain docked in Brisbane until Tuesday, beer barrels are being rolled out at bars across the city along with promotions to lure in the US Navy and marines keen to part with cash. The Royal George Hotel and Brunswick and Ann in the Valley had posters out as news broke of the ships arrival, encouraging patrons to “drop in for a pash and dash”.

USS George Washington arrives in Brisbane USS George Washington arrives in Brisbane.

Royal George Hotel and Brunswick and Ann function and entertainment co-ordinator Chad St James said US sailors were frequent visitors to their establishments.

“They’re really good patrons, really well behaved and the ladies love it,” he said.

Mr St James said the partying was welcomed as much by locals as it was by the seamen.

media_camera USS George Washington arrives in the Port of Brisbane. Pic: Liam Kidston

“Australians always seem to get into the party mood when the sailors come to town.”

It could be the last chance for Brisbane residents to see the massive vessel as it is set to be replaced with a more modern supercarrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, according to reports in the US media.

The George Washington, commissioned in 1992, will be replaced this year.

More than 30,000 US and Australian defence personnel will take part in the 20-day war games from July 4.

It will be joined at sea by Aussie vessels including the amphibious HMAS Choules and Anzac Class frigate HMAS Arunta in exercises off the Rockhampton and Northern Territory coasts.