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The flagship sailed from Norfolk, Virginia, October 4, and traveled more than 9,275 nautical miles with the GRFCSG.
During the scheduled deployment, Ford operated with eight Allies and partners, Canada, Denmark, Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and Sweden, to strengthen interoperability, while conducting a range of maritime operations and exercises.
“This deployment has brought together an incredible group of Allies and partners with a common focus – to contribute to a peaceful, stable, and conflict-free Atlantic region through our combined strength -sea,” said Vice Adm. Dan Dwyer, commander, US 2nd Fleet and Joint Force Command Norfolk. “Opportunities to interoperate and come together will strengthen our nations, our navies, and the NATO Alliance.”
While deployed, the GRFCSG participated in Exercise Silent Wolverine, demonstrating high-end naval warfare and integrated NATO interoperability in the maritime approach to Europe. Silent Wolverine is an opportunity for Ford to train and test capabilities while demonstrating US commitment to Allies and partners through seamless integration.
“We have sailed with our Allies and partners and trained together, tirelessly, day and night, and we are stronger for it,” said Capt. Paul Lanzilotta, Ford’s commanding officer. “Through integrated operations such as Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8’s live and inert ordnance expenditure, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and air defense, we set the stage for operations with the Ford-class technologies in a deployed environment. We completed more than 1,250 sorties, expended 78.3 tons of ordnance, and completed 13 underway replenishments – and we did it because of what Ford-class aircraft bring to the fight.”
Sailors participating in Ford’s first deployment included many ships of foreign nations in the strike group to work together efficiently.
“The leadership of the men and women of the Gerald R. Ford Strike Group is amazing. Every day these Sailors commit themselves 100% to a safe and successful inaugural deployment of Ford and the strike group,” said by Rear Adm. Greg Huffman, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12. “This deployment laid a strong foundation for the strike group, created momentum to carry us into the future for future operations, and prepared us to answer the our country calls when needed.”
Ford made their first international port visit in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and their first European port visit in Portsmouth, UK For Ford Sailors, these port visits offer a long-awaited opportunity to explore and learn from different cultures.
Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Selena Penaloza, from Orlando, Florida, assigned to Ford’s deck department, was stationed at Ford for three years before deploying for the first time.
“It was amazing to see the [ship’s] first deployment and my first port visit. This deployment has been a new experience for everyone on board”, said Penaloza. “We work harder than others do and stand by more to watch, and it’s all for a great cause.”
Ford is the first new US aircraft carrier designed in more than 40 years, introducing 23 new technologies that offer impressive advances in aircraft launch systems, propulsion, power generation, handling ordnance and more. Ford’s advanced technologies reduce the amount of personnel required to maintain and operate the ship’s systems compared to Nimitz-class carriers.
Ford Sailors are shaping the future of naval aviation.
“On our ship, you won’t hear Sailors saying, ‘that’s the way we’ve always done it’ because we’re using new equipment, new technologies,” Lanzilotta said. “Our Sailors make all these new technologies real. Sailors bring them to life. I’m proud of all their hard work and dedication that makes Ford work and allows the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to perform a successful first deployment.”
While operating across the Atlantic, Ford hosted 215 distinguished guests, 175 foreign dignitaries, 46 NATO flag officers and senior enlisted leaders, and more than 60 US and international reporters on board.
US commands and units that participated in the GRFCSG deployment included; 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) assigned to Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) stationed at Naval Station Mayport in Mayport, Florida.
The nine US aircraft squadrons assigned to CVW-8 that boarded the Ford for this deployment were Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37 and Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87 station Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia; Electric Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142 stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Whidbey Island, Washington; Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 124; Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40; Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70; and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9, stationed at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia.
For more information about USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), visit https://www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvn78/ and follow on Facebook: @USSGeraldRFord, Instagram: @cvn78_grford, Twitter: @ Warship_78 , DVIDS www.dvids.net/CVN78 and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/uss-gerald-r-ford-cvn-78/.
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