The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) embarked on its first global deployment, departing from Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday afternoon.
The first-of-its-class aircraft carrier sailed down the James River into the Atlantic at approximately 3:30 p.m., escorted by four ships – the USS Normandy (CG-60) and the USS Ramage (DDG-61), USS McFaul (DDG-74), and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) guided-missile destroyers.
The CSG’s deployment will operationalize new technologies aboard the carrier, according to commander Capt. Rick Burgess.
The Navy has not disclosed the exact operating areas of the CSG during this deployment. However, several sources state that the USS Gerald R. Ford will continue to maintain a carrier presence in the Mediterranean Sea, which began in December 2021 before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
The CSG’s presence at sea throughout the deployment aims to provide assurance to allies and partners that sea lanes will remain open, and joint operations will demonstrate a commitment to interoperability and maritime stability, said Rear Admiral Greg Huffman, the commander of Carrier Strike Group 12.
The Gerald R. Ford CSG includes the staff and units of CSG 12, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2.