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USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) returned to Naval Station Norfolk after two months in the Atlantic Ocean with the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG), Nov. 26, 2022. US Navy photo
First-in-class USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) has returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., after a 53-day operational period in the Atlantic, the US 2nd Fleet announced Saturday.
Ford arrived in Norfolk after returning from a UK port visit last week and training with allied nations across the North Atlantic.
“The flagship sailed from Norfolk, Virginia, Oct. 4, and traveled more than 9,275 nautical miles,” said a statement from the US 2nd Fleet.
“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 operations and training at sea.”
Major events for the strike group included port visits to Halifax, Canada, on Oct. 28 and Portsmouth, UK, on Nov. 14. Ford and its escorts also participated in the massive Silent Wolverine exercise with ships from Canada, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France and the Netherlands.
“Through integrated operations such as Carrier Air Wing 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 technology in a deployed environment,” said Ford Commander Capt. Paul Lanzilotta at the exit on Saturday.
“We completed more than 1,250 sorties, expended 78.3 tons of ordnance, and completed 13 underway replenishments.”
Ford board a partial air wing consisting of each type of aircraft used on an aircraft carrier. At any given point during a deployment, the carrier has up to 60 aircraft aboard — about 80 percent of an entire air wing. Ford also took more than 1,200 tons of ammunition as part of the operation.
Additionally, the strike group was deployed with the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60) and guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116), USS Ramage (DDG-61), USS McFaul (DDG-74 with Destroyer Squadron 26. In addition, the strike group deployed with the Coast Guard cutter USCGC Hamilton (WMSL-753).
Time at sea is an opportunity to prove the systems introduced in Ford designed to increase the aircraft carrier’s sortie generation rate. The carrier’s Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) are both new systems with software elements that have required extensive testing over the past several years. Also, the Advanced Weapons Elevators (AWE), which have been delayed FordDeployability is fully functional and thoroughly tested.
Now back to Norfolk, Ford and its crew will now prepare for a longer deployment planned for next year, defense officials told USNI News.
“This deployment laid a strong foundation for the strike group, created momentum to carry us forward for future operations, and prepared us to answer our country’s call when needed,”
said Carrier Strike Group 12 commander Rear Adm. Greg Huffman said in a statement on Saturday.
Carrier Strike Group 12
Carrier
U.S.S Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
Carrier Air Wing 8
Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., began on Ford and included nine squadrons and detachments:
- The “Golden Warriors” of the VFA-87 Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) flying F/A-18Es from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
- The “Ragin’ Bulls” of VFA-37 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
- The “Black Lions” of VFA-213 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
- The “Tomcatters” of VFA-31 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
- The “Gray Wolves” of VAQ-142 – EA-18G – Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
- The “Bear Aces” of VAW-124 – E-2D – Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) – from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
- The “Rawhides” of VRC-40 – Detachment – C-2A – Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
- The “Tridents” of HSC-9 – MH-60S – Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
- The “Spartans” of the HSM-70 – MH-60R – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) – from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.
Cruiser
U.S.S Normandy (CG-60), which is homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.
Destroyer Squadron 26
U.S.S Thomas Hudner (DDG-116), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.
- U.S.S Ramage (DDG-61), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.
- U.S.S McFaul (DDG-74), homeported at Naval Station Mayport.
- USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) homeport in North Charleston, SC
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