Serving on the U.S. Navy’s largest warship is never going to be a pleasure cruise, but the sailors, Marines, and aviators now embarked on the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) have been fortunate enough that they spent the summer in the waters of the Mediterranean.
In fact, the crew has been able to see the sights in Trieste, Italy, after sailing up the Adriatic last week, the United States Navy announced on Tuesday. The embarked staff from Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12, and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) arrived in the port on Saturday. It was the supercarrier’s fifth stop while deployed to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR) area of operations, and it provided an opportunity to enhance the strong partnership between the U.S. and Italy.
USS GERALD R. FORD Development
USS Gerald R. Ford was developed as part of the Navy’s CVN 21 program, which will consist of a planned total of ten carriers that will replace the current U.S. Navy flattops on a one-for-one basis. She was procured in fiscal year 2008 (FY2008), and according to FY2021 budget estimates cost approximately $13.3 billion (in then-year dollars). The warship, which was commissioned into service in July 2017 was originally scheduled to enter service in 2018, but was hit by a series of delays – while the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 further delayed the progress with the vessel.
As the lead ship in a new class of ten planned flattops, CVN-78 is larger in size than the preceding Nimitz-class carriers, yet can operate with a smaller crew thanks to a greater emphasis on automation. The warship will also see a reduction in maintenance requirements, as well as a crew workload reduction.
That was meant to allow for improved quality of life for the crew including better berthing compartments, larger gyms and workout facilities, and even more ergonomic workspaces. Yet, the carrier’s basic mission will remain largely unchanged.
Moreover, the new enhancements – ranging from the Advanced Weapons Elevators to its toilet system to its Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), which replaced the steam-powered catapults of the Nimitz-class carriers – had bugs that needed to be worked out.
As previously reported, it cost $400,000 to unclog the new toilet system, and it is unclear if the problem has been fully resolved.
Truly a Supercarrier
USS Gerald R. Ford is capable of carrying upwards of 90 of the United States Navy’s most advanced aircraft, and that will include the F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft and MH-60R/S helicopter as well as unmanned air and combat vehicles. In addition, Ford will also be able to recover and launch various Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft flown by the United States Marine Corps including the F-35B Lightning II.
The new carrier has a higher sortie rate of 160 sorties a day with surges to a maximum of 220 sorties a day in times of crisis or during intense air warfare activity.
To accommodate the increase, there were design changes to the flight deck, which has a relocated smaller island. Additionally, there are three rather than four deck-edge elevators, while deck extensions have increased the aircraft parking areas. The aforementioned EMALS has replaced the traditional steam catapults for launching aircraft, while it also provides for more accurate end-speed control, with a smoother acceleration at both high and low speeds. It can be used to launch a range of aircraft from small unmanned drones to heavy strike fighters.
USS GERALD R. FORD In European Waters
The carrier is now technically on her second deployment, following a shortened maiden voyage last fall that included a trip to Portsmouth, England. After returning to the United States, the nuclear-powered supercarrier deployed with the rest of her strike group in May for its first major deployment.
She arrived in European waters and made a port call in Oslo, Norway, and then under NATO command sailed to the Arctic Circle. The carrier strike group has spent much of the summer in the much warmer waters of the Mediterranean, and in July made a scheduled port visit to the Greek capital of Athens. In just the past four months the Gerald R. Ford Strike Group has executed numerous bilateral exercises and training events with the Italian Navy to enhance and demonstrate the U.S. commitment to security in the Mediterranean.
On Saturday, CVN-78 anchored off the coast of Trieste and during its port-of-call visit it has been hosting local officials and military leaders for a lunch and tour to celebrate the strong, extensive alliance between the U.S. and Italy. The port call further has provided USS Gerald R. Ford‘s sailors an opportunity to experience Italy’s and the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region’s rich history and culture.
“This visit is a great opportunity for the Sailors of USS Gerald R. Ford, Carrier Strike Group 12, Carrier Air Wing 8, and Destroyer Squadron 2 to engage with a key ally on a personal level and experience Italian culture,” said Gerald R. Ford Commanding Officer Capt. Rick Burgess. “Our crew is excited to engage with the local community and give back to the city hosting us by participating in a city clean-up event.”
Special guests have experienced firsthand the USS Gerald R. Ford‘s capabilities, including witnessing the launch and recovery of embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 aircraft from the flight deck, touring the carrier’s aircraft maintenance repair facilities, and meeting with GRFCSG Sailors and leadership.
“The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group has operated with our Italian partners throughout our time in the Mediterranean,” said Rear Adm. Erik J. Eslich, Commander, Carrier Strike Group 12. “The interoperability between our forces continues to improve our understanding of our collective capabilities and fosters stability and security in the region.”
The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group consists of Carrier Strike Group 12, Carrier Air Wing 8, Destroyer Squadron 2, USS Normandy (CG 60), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS McFaul (DDG 74), and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116).
