“This ship and crew are actively reshaping the face of our Navy’s capabilities and strengthening the future of Naval Aviation,” Capt. Rick Burgess, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) commanding officer
On 7 Aug 2023, our correspondent Angelo Romano [CLICK HERE to buy the awesome books he wrote about US Naval Aviation], visited USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), during a media embark, off the eastern coast of Sicily, Italy. Angelo flew out of NAS Sigonella onboard a VRC-40 DET 2 C-2A NP and made the eleventh arrested landing in his 37-years career as freelance historian and photographer.
The capital ship of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG), the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), departed her home port Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, for a routine deployment, on May 2.
“This strike group is the cornerstone of our Navy’s forward operations, capable of meeting any tasking provided by regional combatant commanders to ensure peace and stability at sea,” said Rear Adm. Greg Huffman, Commander, Carrier Strike Group 12. “Our presence at sea throughout the deployment will provide reassurance to our partners and Allies that sea lanes will remain open, and our joint operations will demonstrate our commitment to interoperability and maritime stability.”
Ford’s second deployment marks the flagship’s first combat deployment, following its two-month deployment to the U.S. SECOND and SIXTH Fleet areas of operation in autumn 2022. “The Sailors of Gerald R. Ford are ready and able to perform because of the strenuous training they have put in to get this ship ready to deploy, and also in large part to the support of their families and friends,” said Capt. Rick Burgess, Ford’s commanding officer. “This ship and crew are actively reshaping the face of our Navy’s capabilities and strengthening the future of Naval Aviation.”
The GRFCSG provides an inherently flexible naval force capable of deploying across combatant commands to meet emerging missions, deter potential adversaries, reassure allies and partners, enhance security and guarantee the free flow of global commerce.
