The USS Gerald R. Ford, the United States Navy’s newest supercarrier, has achieved a major milestone in its preparations for its first deployment. The carrier has successfully passed a crucial test, demonstrating its ability to handle intense combat conditions, including simultaneous launches and landings of aircraft. This achievement is a crucial step forward for the USS Ford, which has been undergoing extensive testing and trials since its launch in 2013. In this article, we will explore the significance of this milestone and what it means for the future of the United States Navy’s fleet.
The United States Navy’s carrier strike group, USS Gerald R. Ford, has completed its first full-scale operational deployment. USS Ford was commissioned by the navy in 2017 and since then it underwent gradual upgrades and repairs to its systems. The strike group participated in a simulated combat exercise; Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), in March 2023 to prepare for deployment. The exercise tested the strike group’s sailors to ensure their readiness through simulated aircraft, submarine, missile attacks, ship casualties and communication drills.
The naval exercise was designed to mirror the real-world geopolitical environment for the upcoming deployment of USS Ford to the Mediterranean. The ship is scheduled to relieve USS George H.W. Bush, which has been on a tour in the Mediterranean. In recent events, the Department of Defense has authorized the extension of USS Bush’s tour beyond the seven-month mark, which is the statutory limit. The extension comes as a result of recent attacks on U.S. forces in Syria, and the Pentagon believes that keeping the carrier group in the region will enable the regional combatant commanders to respond appropriately to any situation on the ground.
The prolonged process of commissioning, training, and repairing the USS Ford has eventually paid off as the vessel is now operational. The gradual upgrade and repair of the first-of-its-kind mission systems on the ship have taken over six years, but the Navy has emphasized the human factors during the exercise. The CO Capt. Ray Lanzilotta mentioned that people played an essential role in making the mission a success, and that technology alone wouldn’t have made it possible.
The Navy leadership commended the sailors on their readiness and their ability to learn and improve continuously throughout the exercise. Rear Adm. Jeffrey “Caesar” Czerewko, who is the commander of Carrier Strike Group 4, said that “Throughout COMPTUEX, the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group team demonstrated a learning mindset and focused on continuous improvement, and that the strike group is adaptable, capable, and lethal.”
The rigorous training routine that the strike group goes through is essential for real-world deployment, where the ship and the sailors are put through their paces. The challenges faced during simulated exercises allow sailors to plan and implement the right strategy, which then becomes second nature during deployment.
The Department of Defense’s decision to extend the tour of the USS George H.W. Bush is a testament to the importance that the U.S. Government places on the ability of their carrier groups to respond to unforeseen events. The extension enables the group to remain in the region and provide the necessary response to domestic incidents. The deployment of the USS Ford and the extension of the USS George H.W. Bush are undoubtedly significant steps in the U.S.’s continued investment in naval security.
