USS Gerald R Ford, CVN 78, departed Naval Station Norfolk on May 2, 2022 – leading the Gerald R Ford Carrier Strike Group on a routine deployment and marking a milestone as its first deployment into combat. Rear Adm. Greg Huffman, commander of Carrier Strike Group 12, framed the deployment in strategic terms: The strike group is instrumental to the Navy’s forward presence, providing a ready force able to respond to any tasking from regional combatant commanders to ensure maritime peace and stability.
Capt. Rick Burgess, commanding officer of the USS Gerald R. Ford, saluted the hard work of his crew and thanked not only their tough training but also their families and friends for always standing behind their backs. “This ship and crew are actively reshaping the face of our Navy’s capabilities and strengthening the future of naval aviation,” he said.
The GRFCSG is a multipart, versatile naval force consisting of more than 6,000 Sailors and is designed to fulfill a variety of missions across various combatant commands, deterring adversaries, reassuring allies, enhancing security, and ensuring the free flow of global commerce. The strike group consists of staff of Carrier Strike Group 12, Carrier Air Wing 8, staff and units of Destroyer Squadron 2, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), and the Information Warfare Commander.
Destroyer Squadron 2 is composed of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers: USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS McFaul (DDG 74), and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116). The embarked squadrons aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Air Wing 8 include: “Tridents” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 9;
“Bear Aces” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron 124; “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40; “Ragin’ Bulls” of Strike Fighter Squadron 37; “Blacklions” of Strike Fighter Squadron 213; “Golden Warriors” of Strike Fighter Squadron 87; “Tomcatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron 31; “Gray Wolves” of Electronic Attack Squadron 142; and “Spartans” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 70.
The USS Gerald R. Ford is the most advanced and latest aircraft carrier of the U.S. Navy, introducing 23 new technologies that mark a generational leap in naval capability. This includes the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, Advanced Arresting Gear, and Advanced Weapons Elevators, further facilitating sortie generation with a 20% reduction in manpower compared to Nimitz-class carriers.