In the course of the scheduled deployment, Ford operated with eight Allies and companions, Canada, Denmark, Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and Sweden, to strengthen interoperability, whereas conducting a variety of maritime operations and workouts.
“This deployment introduced collectively an unimaginable group of Allies and companions with one single focus – to contribute to a peaceable, secure, and conflict-free Atlantic area by means of our mixed naval energy,” mentioned Vice Adm. Dan Dwyer, commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet and Joint Pressure Command Norfolk. “Alternatives to interoperate and combine make our nations, our navies, and the NATO Alliance stronger.”
Whereas deployed, GRFCSG participated in Train Silent Wolverine, demonstrating high-end naval warfare and built-in NATO interoperability within the maritime approaches to Europe. Silent Wolverine was a chance for Ford to coach and take a look at capabilities whereas demonstrating the U.S. dedication to Allies and companions by means of seamless integration.
“We sailed with our Allies and companions and skilled collectively, tirelessly, day and night time, and we’re stronger for it,” mentioned Capt. Paul Lanzilotta, Ford’s commanding officer. “Via built-in and mixed operations equivalent to stay and inert ordnance expenditure by Provider Air Wing (CVW) 8, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and air protection, we set the stage for working with Ford-class applied sciences in a deployed surroundings. We accomplished greater than 1,250 sorties, expended 78.3 tons of ordnance, and accomplished 13 underway replenishments – and we completed this due to what Ford-class plane carriers carry to the struggle.”
The Sailors collaborating in Ford’s first deployment built-in a number of international nations’ ships into the strike group to function collectively effectively.
“Main the women and men of the Gerald R. Ford Strike Group has been awe-inspiring. Daily these Sailors dedicated themselves 100% to a protected and profitable inaugural deployment of Ford and the strike group,” mentioned Rear Adm. Greg Huffman, commander, Provider Strike Group (CSG) 12. “This deployment laid a powerful basis for the strike group, created momentum to hold us ahead for future operations, and has ready us to reply our nation’s name when wanted.”
Ford made their first worldwide port go to in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and their first European port go to in Portsmouth, U.Okay. For Ford Sailors, these port visits provided a long-awaited alternative to discover and be taught from completely different cultures.
Boatswain’s Mate third Class Selena Penaloza, from Orlando, Florida, assigned to Ford’s deck division, has been stationed aboard Ford for 3 years earlier than deploying for the primary time.
“It was wonderful attending to see the [ship’s] first deployment and my first port go to. This deployment has been a brand new expertise for everybody onboard”, mentioned Penaloza. “We’ve been working greater than on different underways and standing extra watch, and it’s all for an ideal trigger.”
Ford is the primary new U.S. plane provider designed in additional than 40 years, introducing 23 new applied sciences that provide spectacular advances to its plane launch system, propulsion, energy technology, ordnance dealing with and extra. Ford’s superior applied sciences cut back the quantity of personnel required to keep up and function the ship’s methods in comparison with Nimitz-class carriers.
The Sailors of Ford are shaping the way forward for naval aviation.
“On our ship, you don’t hear Sailors saying, ‘that’s the way in which we’ve all the time executed it’ as a result of we’re utilizing new gear, new applied sciences,” mentioned Lanzilotta. “Our Sailors are those who make all of those new applied sciences actual. The Sailors make it come to life. I’m so happy with all their arduous work and dedication that made Ford operational and allowed the Gerald R. Ford Provider Strike Group to conduct a profitable first deployment.”
Whereas working within the Atlantic, Ford hosted 215 distinguished guests, 175 international dignitaries, 46 NATO flag officers and senior enlisted leaders, and greater than 60 U.S. and worldwide reporters aboard.
The U.S. instructions and items that participated within the GRFCSG deployment embody; CSG 12, CVW 8, Destroyer Squadron 2, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS McFaul (DDG 74) and USS Ramage (DDG 61) stationed at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) stationed at Naval Station Mayport in Mayport, Florida.
The 9 U.S. plane squadrons assigned to CVW-8 that embarked Ford for this deployment had been Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37 and Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87 stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Seaside, Virginia; Electrical Assault Squadron (VAQ) 142 stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Whidbey Island, Washington; Airborne Command and Management Squadron (VAW) 124; Fleet Logistics Help Squadron (VRC) 40; Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70; and Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron (HSC) 9, stationed at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia.
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