DVIDS – News – Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Return to Homeport and Decommissioning | Rare Techy

NORFOLK, Va. – The first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), flagship of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG), returned to Naval Station Norfolk after successfully completing her deployment conducting Atlantic exercises and port visits with allies and partners, 26 Nov.

The flagship set sail from Norfolk, Virginia on October 4 and logged more than 9,275 nautical miles with GRFCSG.

During the planned deployment, Ford operated with eight allies and partners Canada, Denmark, Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden to strengthen interoperability while conducting a variety of maritime operations and exercises.

“This deployment brought together an incredible group of allies and partners focused on one focus – to contribute to a peaceful, stable and conflict-free Atlantic through our joint navy,” said Vice Adm. Dan Dwyer, commander of US 2nd Fleet. and Joint Forces Command Norfolk. “Cooperation and integration capabilities make our countries, our navies and the NATO alliance stronger.

During the deployment, the GRFCSG participated in Exercise Silent Wolverine, demonstrating high-level naval warfare and integrated NATO interoperability in a European maritime approach. Silent Wolverine was an opportunity for Ford to train and test its capabilities while demonstrating US commitment to allies and partners through seamless integration.

“We 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 and combined operations such as Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8’s live and inert munitions expenditure, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare and air defense, we established the foundation for working with Ford-class technologies. the environment. We flew more than 1,250 sorties, expended 78.3 tons of ordnance, and completed 13 pending upgrades—and we accomplished that because of what the Ford-class aircraft carriers bring to the fight.

Sailors participating in Ford’s first deployment integrated the strike group’s ships from several foreign nations to operate effectively together.

“The leadership of the men and women of the Gerald R. Ford Strike Group has been awe-inspiring. Every day these Sailors gave 100% dedication to the safe and successful deployment of Ford and the Strike Group,” said Rear Adm. Greg Huffman. commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12. “This deployment laid a strong foundation for the strike group, provided the impetus to move us forward for future operations, and has prepared us to answer our nation’s call when needed.”

Ford made its first international port call in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and its first European port call in Portsmouth, United Kingdom.For Ford Sailors, these port calls provided a long-awaited opportunity to explore and learn from different cultures.

Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Selena Penaloza of Orlando, Fla., assigned to Ford’s Deck Department, has been aboard a Ford for three years prior to her first deployment.

“It was amazing to see [ship’s] first deployment and my first port call. This deployment has been a new experience for all on board,” said Penaloza. “We’ve worked harder than any other ongoing project and been more vigilant, and it’s all for a great cause.”

Ford is the first new U.S. aircraft carrier to be designed in more than 40 years, introducing 23 new technologies that offer impressive advances in the aircraft’s launch system, propulsion, power generation, ordnance handling and more. Ford’s advanced technologies reduce the personnel required to maintain and operate the ship’s systems compared to Nimitz-class carriers.

Ford sailors are shaping the future of maritime aviation.

“On our ship, you don’t hear sailors saying we’ve always done it because we’re using new equipment and new technologies,” Lanzilotta said. “Our sailors are the ones who make all these new technologies a reality. Sailors make it happen. I am so proud of all their hard work and dedication that made the Ford operational and allowed the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to successfully deploy for the first time.

While operating in the Atlantic, Ford hosted 215 distinguished guests, 175 foreign dignitaries, 46 NATO flag officers and senior recruiting officers, and more than 60 US and international reporters.

U.S. commands and units participating in the GRFCSG deployment include: Naval Station CSG 12, CVW 8, Destroyer Squadron 2, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74) and USS Ramage (DDG 61) Norfolk Norfolk Norfolk, Virginia and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) based at Mayport Naval Station, Mayport, Florida.

The nine U.S. aircraft squadrons assigned to CVW-8 and accompanying Ford on this mission were Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213, Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31, Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37, and Fighter Squadron (VFA) 7 Naval Air Station Oceana Virginia in Beach, Virginia; Electric Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington; Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 124; Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40; Helicopter Sea Strike Squadron (HSM) 70; and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9, based at Naval Station Norfolk, 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/.