Release from Program Executive Office Aircraft Carriers Public Affairs 

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March 9, 2023 

By Program Executive Office Aircraft Carriers Public Affairs 

WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, DC – The sixth meeting of the U.S. – Indo Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Technology Cooperation (JWGACTC) concluded on Mar. 3 in India, marking a successful, bilateral exchange of information and best practices in the areas of ship construction and maintenance. 

The five-day meeting, co-chaired by Rear Adm. James P. Downey, program executive officer for aircraft carriers, representing the U.S. delegation; and Rear Adm. Sandeep Mehta, Assistant Controller Carrier Projects for the Indian Navy, deepened a successful legacy of cooperation between the two Pacific nations—sessions launched in August 2015 as part of a U.S. – India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI). 

“India is a vital strategic partner for the United States,” said Downey, “and our program office takes pride in the collaborative spirit we’ve built with our Indian Navy counterparts.  Our technology is diverse, while our goal is linked foundationally—to accelerate our respective missions of building and maintaining these extremely capable ships and systems that deliver readiness to our fleets.” 

In mid-February, India logged an important milestone when it completed initial flight deck trials on its first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. 

“Back in 2015, the first Indian Navy delegation visited Norfolk and toured the Gerald R. Ford [CVN 78] when she was still in construction at Newport News Shipbuilding,” Downey recalled.  “And this week, our U.S. team stood on board India’s new INS Vikrant, the largest naval ship ever built in India—that was an inspiring moment.”  INS Vikrant is expected to begin operations later this year, a step reflective of the government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, or greater self-reliance. 

JWGACTC Tour Highlights

In a robust slate of events conducted from 27 February to 3 March, JWGACTC representatives gathered in New Delhi at the Kota House and visited India’s Directorate of Naval Design, discussing areas of mutual interest in several technology areas, including topside aircraft carrier systems and aircraft / ship integration.  Meeting participants delivered updates and discussed opportunities for the two navies to expand cooperation under the initiative.  Rear Adm Downey also met with Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Adm. SN Ghormade, DTTI Interagency Task Force (DIATF) Co-Chair Lt. Gen. Manjinder Singh, and Vice Adm. Kiran Deshmukh, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition. 

The combined delegation then flew to Kochi, Kerala, on India’s southwest coast, for a tour of Cochin Shipyard Limited, where INS Vikrant was built. Vikrant is the third ship to bear the name, and the first aircraft carrier built entirely by the Indian government and industrial base.  

Capt. Brian Metcalf, who leads the Gerald R. Ford-Class New Construction Program Office (PMS 378), appreciated the first-hand look at India’s indigenous ship building capability and Cochin’s modern facilities, tasked with designing and manufacturing the country’s next generation aircraft carrier. 

“Looking at our ships, the designs are clearly different: from propulsion to how we launch aircraft—Ford, for instance, using EMALS [Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System] and AAG [Advanced Arresting Gear]; while India employs a STOBAR [short takeoff barrier-assisted recovery] system to launch aircraft off a ski-jump ramp,” said Metcalf. 

“In terms of the art and science of shipbuilding and sustainment and the need for building efficiencies into everything we do, whether that’s leveraging resources or building smarter, we share similar challenges and goals.  So we can benefit from hearing new operating philosophies and ideas for streamlining business practices.  All of that goes a long way toward enhancing interoperability at sea.” 

While in Kochi, Downey also visited India’s Southern Naval Command, meeting with Vice Adm. M.A. Hampiholi and visiting the Naval Institute of Aeronautical Technology and the School for Naval Airmen. 

Hampiholi afforded Downey the opportunity to meet with trainees at the Advanced Aero Engine Training Centre and to see the school’s Basic and Specialist Vehicle Simulator, mockup helo decks, and Virtual Reality-Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Training Facility, as well as the Indian Navy’s P-8I long-range, multi-mission, maritime patrol aircraft simulator. 

After several years of interruptions due to COVID-19, JWGACTC participants were pleased to return to this annual in-person meeting format, with the face-to-face interaction fostering closer relationships, particularly among newer team members. 

“One-on-one as well as face-to-face team engagement is so important,” said Downey.  ”These forums and exchanges build trust and teamwork.  That’s when you learn across the joint team and when you establish solid foundations and protocols that enhance operations and interoperability for our futures.” 

Building on this highly successful meeting, the seventh JWGACTC meeting is scheduled to be held in the United States in 2024. 

WASHINGTON — Amidst a backdrop of uncertainty regarding the final fleet size of the U.S. Navy’s amphibious warfare ships that carry Marine Corps expeditionary units, the Amphibious Warfare Industrial Base Coalition (AWIBC) during a March 9 Congressional Breakfast event made their case for providing a bare minimum of 31 amphibious warfare ships for future Marine Corps operations 

This goal was echoed by the keynote speaker, Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. David H. Berger, who has argued in favor of this amphibious fleet size despite pushback from notable Department of Defense detractors, both active and retired. 

The event also featured several members of Congress eager to support the commandant’s vision for 31 such amphibious vessels. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, made clear that he would fight for this objective, with fellow Mississippian Rep. Trent Kelly, also voicing his support. As ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and chair of the House Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, respectively, these two members have a lot of leverage to make this goal a reality. 

Additional speakers included Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin; Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Virginia, and Rep. Gallagher, R-Wisconsin, with AWIBC Chairman and retired Navy Capt. David Forster moderating. 

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ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy has begun integrating information warfare teams in submarines to increase the boats’ tactical information warfare combat capabilities, a senior admiral said.   

“We partnered with [Vice Adm. William J. Houston, commander, Naval Submarine Forces] and the submarine force last year to put Information Warfare officers and Sailors as permanent party, as part of submarine crews,” said Vice Adm. Kelly Aeschbach, commander, Navy Information Forces, speaking March at the online Defense One State of the Navy seminar. 

“We piloted the effort on two submarines, where we have an officer and three Sailors who have integrated with the crew and are allowing the crew to focus on the execution of their submarine duties,” Aeschbach said. 

The Information Warfare teams on board use their expertise to help the submarine crew with “electronic warfare, intelligence preparation of the environment, and the other requirements they have in terms of cyber security and assured communications,” she said. 

“The feedback so far has been really positive and I’m optimistic that we’re probably going to move out with permanent integration of information warfare personnel on submarines, which I think is really powerful addition to the great work that our submarine force already does for us.” the admiral said. 

Aeschbach said that in the past information warfare personnel teams were deployed on board submarines for certain missions or operations but were not integrated full-time. 

“The submarine force recognized how challenging and competitive the undersea environment is now, that it would really be force multiplier … permanently embedded to bring that expertise to bear in support of their operations,” she said.  

The admiral did not specify the class(es) of the two submarines with the integrated teams. 

Aeschbach also said the Navy has established the Fleet Information Warfare Command Pacific, led by Rear Adm. Michael J. Vernazza, “focused at the flag level on the delivery and integration of our information capabilities [in the Pacific Fleet] and I think it is really helping us move at the operational level of war in the completed integration of what we can deliver in space, cyber, intelligence, weather, etc., all of the capabilities that are in the information portfolio. 

Featured in Seapower Magazine Feb/March Issue (p. 21)

Release from the Navy Chief of Information 

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SECNAV Renames Pathfinder-class Oceanographic Survey Ship USNS Maury after Marie Tharp 

08 March 2023 

Today, on International Women’s Day, Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Carlos Del Toro announced that the Pathfinder-class oceanographic survey ship formerly named USNS Maury (T-AGS 66) has been renamed USNS Marie Tharp (T-AGS 66). 

This renaming honors Marie Tharp, a pioneering geologist and oceanographic cartographer who created the first scientific maps of the Atlantic Ocean floor and shaped our understanding of plate tectonics and continental drift.   

The decision arrived after a congressionally mandated Naming Commission outlined several military assets across all branches of service that required renaming due to confederate ties. In September 2022, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin accepted all recommendations from the naming commission and gave each service until the end of 2023 to rename their assets.  

“I’m pleased to announce the former USNS Maury will be renamed in honor of pioneering geologist and oceanographic cartographer, Marie Tharp. Her dedication to research brought life to the unknown ocean world and proved important information about the earth, all while being a woman in a male-dominated industry,” said Del Toro. “As the history of our great Nation evolves, we must put forth the effort to recognize figures who positively influenced our society. This renaming honors just one of the many historic women who have made a significant impact on not only our Navy, but our Nation.” 

Tharp was born in 1920 and graduated from the Ohio University in 1943. Due to WWII, more women were recruited into a variety of professions, prompting the University of Michigan to open their geology program to women, resulting in Tharp completing her master’s degree in 1944. After working in her field for a few years, Tharp became one of the first women to work at the Lamont Geological Observatory. During this time she met Bruce C. Heezen (namesake of T-AGS 64) and worked together using photographic data to locate downed military aircraft from WWII. Between 1946 and 1952, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute’s research vessel, Atlantis, used sonar to obtain depth measurements of the North Atlantic Ocean, which Tharp, in collaboration with her colleague, Heezen, used to create highly detailed seafloor profiles and maps.  While examining these profiles, Tharp noticed a cleft in the ocean floor that she deduced to be a rift valley that ran along the ridge crest and continued along the length of its axis, evidence of continental drift.  At the time, the consensus of the U.S. scientific community held continental drift to be impossible, but later examination bore out Tharp’s hypothesis.  Her work thus proved instrumental to the development of Plate Tectonic Theory, a revolutionary idea in the field of geology at the time.  Owing to this and other innovative mapping efforts (some which the Navy funded), the National Geographic Society awarded Tharp its highest honor, the Hubbard Medal, placing her among the ranks of other pioneering researchers and explorers such as Sir Ernest Shackleton, Charles Lindbergh, and Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd.  

The logistical aspects associated with renaming the ship will begin henceforth and will continue until completion with minimal impact on operations and the crew. 

T-AGS 66 was accepted in 2016 and named USNS Maury (T-AGS 66) after Commander Matthew Fontaine Maury, the “Father of Modern Oceanography” who resigned from his Navy career to accept a command in the Confederate States Navy. The former USNS Maury was the only US Navy Vessel named after a Confederate military officer. T-AGS 66 is currently assigned to Military Sealift Command and is in the Persian Gulf.  

Release from Naval surface Warfare Center Panama City Division 

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ONE TEAM, NSWC PCD brings flexibility to the future of diving 

By Jeremy Roman, NSWC PCD Public Affairs 

PANAMA CITY, Fla.  –   

After months of planning, the mission to rapidly deliver solutions to ensure warfighting dominance moved one step closer during the Deep Sea Expeditionary with No Decompression (DSEND) Suit In-Water Concept Demonstration held at the U.S. Navy Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU), Feb. 7 – 8. 

The DSEND demo tested the capabilities of a new concept suit aimed to help divers navigate their environment more efficiently. Allie Williams, Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSW PCD) Fleet Diving In-Service Engineering Agent, explained some of the highlights from this successful demonstration.  

“This test was conducted as a proof of concept demonstrating the DSEND suit’s flexibility and maneuverability under the diver’s own power,” said Williams. “The operator was [also] wearing a Divers Augmented Vision Display (DAVD) system inside the suit to demonstrate the future permanent integration of DAVD, as well.” 

While performance-capable, the current Atmospheric Diving Suit (ADS) is also heavy, lacks maneuverability and requires relatively large sea craft for deployment. This project aims to innovate the previous ADS on several fronts including improvements to its current rotary joint design. For example, the current ADS does not allow movement in the same direction as natural human joints, which can contribute to diver fatigue. This new suit concept would enhance a diver’s range of motion, without considerable strain or force, while providing the added benefit of allowing the user to swim independent of propulsion systems. 

An additional program objective is to develop a swimmable dive suit that maintains atmospheric pressure internal to the suit and can withstand pressures up to 300 feet of seawater (fsw). Further development could enable it to greater depths. 

“The demo went well and served as a good proof of concept for the project. We received good feedback and it was valuable to have the chance for follow-on testing,” said Williams. “This program will provide new capabilities to the warfighter by creating a more flexible and lightweight ADS, compared to the previous more costly and burdensome capabilities.” 

Not only does this demonstration move the project closer to interoperability capability, it also strengthens partnerships through the organizational collaboration of Naval Sea Systems Command 00C3, Office of Naval Research 342, NSWC PCD, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Keyport, Nuytco Research, Mide Technology, Coda Octopus and NEDU. They will continue their respective work to complete their primary objective, which is to develop a suit that will replace the 300 fsw Mixed Gas Diving Systems and eventually go to greater depths. 

Release from BAE Systems 

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NEWPORT NEWS, Va., March 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global all-domain defense partner HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that its Newport News Shipbuilding division recently received approval as a vendor to provide some additive manufacturing components to Naval Sea Systems (NAVSEA) platforms. 

The certification enables NNS to use additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, to fabricate pipefittings or other potential components for use on aircraft carriers, submarines and other NAVSEA platforms. 

“Innovation is driving our business transformation at Newport News Shipbuilding,” NNS Vice President of Engineering and Design Dave Bolcar said. “Our continued advances in additive manufacturing are revolutionizing naval engineering and shipbuilding. This will continue to propel our progress in efficiency, safety and affordability as we remain steadfast in our mission to deliver the critical ships our Navy needs to protect peace around the world.” 

Photos accompanying this release are available at: https://hii.com/news/hii-receives-additive-manufacturing-approval-from-naval-sea-systems-command-2023/. 

In 2018, NAVSEA approved the technical standards for 3D printing after extensive collaboration with HII and industry partners that involved the rigorous printing of test parts and materials, extensive development of an engineered test program and publishing of the results. 

The first 3D-printed metal part, a piping assembly, was delivered to the U.S. Navy for installation on the NNS-built USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in January 2019. Since then, NNS has received approval for several other metal 3D-printed parts on U.S. Navy ships of varying criticality. 

This most recent certification is for stainless steel (316/316L grade) additively manufactured pipefittings. NNS is also pursuing approvals that will enable broader use and implementation of additive manufacturing across the naval enterprise. The highly digitized process could lead to cost savings and reduced production schedules for naval ships. 

NNS is the only builder and refueler of nuclear-powered U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and one of just two shipyards building nuclear-powered submarines for the Navy. 

Release from Bollinger Shipyards 

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USNS MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION is the fifth Bollinger-built T-ATS 

T-ATS to replace the aging Safeguard-class rescue and salvage ships and Powhatan-class tugboats 

Pascagoula, MS — (March 7, 2023) – Joined by senior U.S. Navy officials at Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding, Bollinger Shipyards LLC (“Bollinger”) last week officially commenced construction of the future USNS MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION, the tenth Navajo-class Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ship (“T-ATS”) and the fifth T-ATS vessel being constructed by Bollinger since acquiring the program in April of 2021. 

“Bollinger is honored to be entrusted by the Navy to build the Navajo-class Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ship. We’re excited to be able to utilize our newly acquired facility in Pascagoula to maximize our mobility and efficiency on the T-ATS program as we officially kick off construction on the fifth of five T-ATS ships to be built by Bollinger,” said Ben Bordelon, President and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards. “The T-ATS program is an important part of our expanding portfolio and relationship with the Navy as we work to support critical fleet modernization efforts. Maximizing Bollinger Shipyards resources across the Gulf Coast is something we’re incredibly proud of. This program sustains jobs in both our facilities between Houma and Pascagoula.” 

The Navajo-class provides ocean-going tug, salvage, and rescue capabilities to support fleet operations, and are tasked with coming to the aid of stricken vessels. Their general mission capabilities include combat salvage, lifting, towing, retraction of grounded vessels, off-ship firefighting, and manned diving operations. The T-ATS platform replaces and fulfills the capabilities that were previously provided by the Powhatan-class Fleet Ocean Tug (T-ATF 166) and Safeguard-class Rescue and Salvage Ships (T-ARS 50) class ships. 

Named for the Muscogee Creek Nation, the ship honors the self-governed Native American tribe located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. The Muscogee people are descendants of not just one tribe, but a union of several. Muscogee Creek Nation is the largest of the federally recognized Muscogee tribes, which is the fourth largest tribe in the U.S. with more than 86,000 citizens – some of which have or continue to serve across the U.S. Armed Forces. This will be the first Navy vessel to carry the name Muscogee Creek Nation. 

In addition to T-ATS 10, Bollinger is constructing USNS Navajo (T-ATS 6), USNS Cherokee Nation (T-ATS 7), USNS Saginaw Ojibwe Anishinabek (T-ATS 8) and the USNS Lenni Lenape (T-ATS 9). 

About the Navajo-class Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ship Platform 

The Navajo-class is a new series of towing, salvage and rescue ships (T-ATS) being constructed for the U.S. Navy. The Navajo-class is a multi-mission common hull platform that will be deployed to support a range of missions such as towing, rescue, salvage, humanitarian assistance, oil spill response and wide-area search and surveillance operations using unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). The vessels will replace the existing Powhatan-class T-ATF fleet ocean tugs and Safeguard-class T-ARS rescue and salvage ships in service with the US Military Sealift Command. 

About Bollinger Shipyards LLC 

Bollinger Shipyards LLC (www.bollingershipyards.com) has a 76-year legacy as a leading designer and builder of high performance military patrol boats and salvage vessels, research vessels, ocean-going double hull barges, offshore oil field support vessels, tugboats, rigs, lift boats, inland waterways push boats, barges, and other steel and aluminum products from its new construction shipyards as part of the U. S. industrial base. Bollinger has 14 shipyards, all strategically located throughout Louisiana with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Bollinger is the largest vessel repair company in the Gulf of Mexico region. 

Release from Commander, Task Force 71 / Destroyer Squadron 15 Public Affairs 

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USS John Finn joins Task Force 71 in Japan 

06 March 2023 

From Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Keiley, Commander, Task Force 71 / Destroyer Squadron 15 Public Affairs 

YOKOSUKA, Japan - The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113) arrived in its new forward-deployed location of Yokosuka, Japan, March 4, joining Commander, Task Force (CTF 71)/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. 

The forward presence of John Finn enhances the national security of the United States and improves its ability to protect strategic interests. John Finn is a multi-mission ship with air warfare, submarine warfare, and surface warfare capabilities. It is designed to operate independently or with carrier strike groups, surface action groups, and amphibious ready groups. 
 
“John Finn is another fantastic addition to our team here in Japan,” said Capt. Walter Mainor, commander, Task Force 71. “The dedicated crew will be a key part of our mission to work with our Allies and partners, and ensure we remain committed to maritime security in the region and uphold the promise of a free and open Indo-Pacific.” 
 
The United States values Japan’s contributions to the peace, security, and stability of the Indo-Pacific and its long-term commitment and hospitality in hosting U.S. forces forward deployed there. These forces, along with their counterparts in the Japan Self-Defense Forces, make up the core capabilities needed by the Alliance to meet common strategic objectives. 
 
Maintaining the most advanced ships and a forward-deployed naval force (FDNF) capability supports the United States’ commitment to the defense of Japan and the security, stability, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region. This allows the most rapid response times possible for maritime and joint forces, and brings the most capable ships with the greatest amount of striking power and operational capability to bear in the timeliest manner. 
 
“We are excited for the opportunity to join 7th Fleet and the FDNF ships in Yokosuka, Japan” said Cmdr. Angela Gonzales, John Finn’s commanding officer. “Our Sailors have trained diligently over the past few years in preparation for this transition. We are ready to support our Allies and partners in the region in maintaining maritime security. Additionally, we are appreciative of the hospitality shown to our families who arrived in Japan earlier this year. We are eager to arrive in Yokosuka.” 
 
John Finn is a Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided-missile destroyer that can deploy with two MH-60 variant helicopters. It also has improved ballistic missile defense, anti-air and surface warfare capabilities. The ship is 155 meters in length; displacing approximately 9,200 tons, with a crew size of approximately 270 Sailors. The ship was commissioned July 15, 2017. 
 
CTF 71/DESRON 15 is the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. 

Release from Carrier Strike Group 12 Public Affairs

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03 March 2023 

From Carrier Strike Group 12 Public Affairs 

ATLANTIC OCEAN – The Sailors, ships, squadrons and staffs of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG) commenced their final deployment certification exercise, Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), March 2.

“The GRFCSG demonstrated to the world what high-end naval warfare and integrated NATO interoperability looks like when it sailed on its inaugural deployment in 2022,” said Rear Adm. Greg Huffman, Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12. “Now, the strike group is initiating its final step in fully certifying as a combat-deployable warship. COMPTUEX will further demonstrate that our carrier strike group is a combat-ready naval force capable of conducting a full spectrum of integrated maritime, joint, and combined operations.” 

The crew of the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) man the rails as the ship returns to Naval Station Norfolk, Nov. 26, following the inaugural deployment with the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG). More than 4,600 Sailors assigned to Ford operated in U.S. 2nd Fleet and 6th Fleet, increasing interoperability and interchangeability with NATO Allies and partners. Throughout the deployment, the GRFCSG sailed more than 9,200 miles, completed more than 1,250 sorties, expended 78.3 tons of ordnance, completed 13 underway replenishments and hosted more than 400 distinguished visitors. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Adkins) 

Orchestrated by CSG 4 staff, COMPTUEX is designed to test and push the limits of the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) through a thorough, multi-week scenario that will prepare the crew for high-end warfighting. 

“It is an honor to lead our awesome team through this challenging exercise, and I am confident our Sailors will deliver,” said Capt. Paul Lanzilotta, Ford’s commanding officer. “Gerald R. Ford Sailors and those hard-working professionals on our extended team, Carrier Air Wing Eight and embarked staffs have worked diligently toward this goal for years, learning and mastering an array of new systems. Their fortitude and resiliency inspires and humbles me every day. After we complete COMPTUEX, Ford and our crew will be fully integrated with the carrier strike group as a cohesive, multi-mission fighting machine, ready to sail over the horizon to support national tasking.” 

Focused on a range of simulated combat situations, including aircraft, submarine and missile attacks, ship casualties and engineering and communication drills, COMPTUEX’s scenario will evolve and mirror the real-world geopolitical environment to prepare the GRFCSG for its upcoming deployment. 

“Going into COMPTUEX, the capstone training event prior to deployment, every warrior in Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 is looking forward to getting underway to further hone our tactical edge while operating from the sea onboard the world’s most advanced and capable aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford,” said Capt. Dan Catlin, Commander, CVW 8. 

This will be Ford’s first COMPTUEX. This training will allow the carrier strike group to increase staff proficiency across various warfighting functions and provided a unique experience to exercise naval interoperability. 

“The Greyhounds are excited for the challenges we’ll face during COMPTUEX to prepare ourselves to deploy as part of the Gerald R Ford Strike Group,” said Capt. Mac Harkin, Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2. “We are excited to be a part of this team along with Ford, CAG 8, IWC and Normandy as we train and prepare for our upcoming deployment.” 

The GRFCSG includes the staffs of CSG 12, CVW-8 and DESRON 2 stationed in Norfolk, Va. Participating units include the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS McFaul (DDG 74) homeported in Norfolk, Va. and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) homeported in Mayport, Fl. CVW-8 squadrons include strike fighter squadrons VFA-213, VFA-31, VFA-37 and VFA-87 stationed in Norfolk, Va. at Naval Air Station Oceana; electronic attack squadron VAQ-142 stationed in Whidbey Island, Wash. at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island; airborne command and control squadron VAW-124 stationed in Norfolk, Va. at Naval Air Station Oceana; fleet logistics support squadron VRC-40 stationed in Norfolk, Va. at Naval Air Station Oceana; helicopter maritime strike squadron HSM-70 stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. At Naval Air Station Jacksonville; and helicopter sea combat squadron HSC-9 stationed in Norfolk, Va. at Naval Air Station Oceana. 

USS Gerald R. Ford is the U.S. Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier. As the first-in-class ship of Ford-class aircraft carriers, CVN 78 represents a generational leap in the U.S. Navy’s capacity to project power on a global scale. Ford-class aircraft carriers introduce 23 new technologies, including Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, Advanced Arresting Gear and Advanced Weapons Elevators. The new systems incorporated onto Ford-class ships are designed to generate a higher sortie rate with a 20% smaller crew than a Nimitz-class carrier, paving the way forward for naval aviation. 

CSG 4 is a team that consists of experienced Sailors, Marines, government civilians and reservists, who mentor, train and assess U.S. 2nd Fleet combat forces to forward deploy in support and defense of national interests. CSG 4’s experts shape the readiness of U.S. 2nd Fleet Carrier Strike Groups (CSG), Expeditionary Strike Groups (ESG), Amphibious Readiness Groups (ARG) and independent deploying ships through live, at sea and synthetic training, as well as academic instruction. Along with its subordinate commands, Tactical Training Group Atlantic (TTGL) and Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Atlantic (EWTGL), CSG 4 prepares every Atlantic-based CSG, ARG and independent deployer for sustained forward-deployed high-tempo operations. 

For more information about the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), visit https://www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvn78/ and follow along on Facebook: @USSGeraldRFord, Instagram: @cvn78_grford, Twitter: @Warship_78, DVIDS www.dvids.net/CVN78 and LinkedIn at USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).