USS Gerald R. Ford explained

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is an aircraft carrier of the United States Navy and the lead ship of her class. The ship is named after the 38th President of the United States, Gerald Ford, whose World War II naval service included combat duty aboard the light aircraft carrier in the Pacific Theater.[1]

Construction began on 11 August 2005, when Northrop Grumman held a ceremonial steel cut for a 15-ton plate that forms part of a side shell unit of the carrier.[2] The keel of Gerald R. Ford was laid down on 13 November 2009. She was christened on 9 November 2013. Gerald R. Ford entered the fleet replacing the decommissioned, which ended her 51 years of active service in December 2012.[3] [4] Originally scheduled for delivery in 2015, Gerald R. Ford was delivered to the Navy on 31 May 2017 and formally commissioned by President Donald Trump on 22 July 2017.[5] [6] Her first deployment departed 4 October 2022.[7], she is the world's largest aircraft carrier, and the largest warship ever constructed.[8] [9]

Naming

In 2006, while Gerald Ford was still alive, Senator John Warner of Virginia proposed to amend a 2007 defense-spending bill to declare that CVN-78 "shall be named the USS Gerald Ford."[10] The final version, signed by President George W. Bush on 17 October 2006,[11] declared only that it "is the sense of Congress that ... CVN-78 should be named the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford."[12] Since such "sense of" language is typically non-binding and does not carry the force of law, the Navy was not required to name the ship after Ford.[13]

On 3 January 2007, former United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced that the aircraft carrier would be named after Ford during a eulogy for President Ford at Grace Episcopal Church in East Grand Rapids, Michigan.[14] Rumsfeld indicated that he had personally told Ford of the honor during a visit to his home in Rancho Mirage a few weeks before Ford's death. This makes the aircraft carrier one of the few U.S. ships named after a living person. Later in the day, the Navy confirmed that the aircraft carrier would indeed be named after the former president.[15] On 16 January 2007, Navy Secretary Donald Winter officially named CVN-78 USS Gerald R. Ford. Ford's daughter Susan Ford Bales was named the ship's sponsor. The announcements were made at a Pentagon ceremony attended by Vice President Dick Cheney, Senators Warner (R-VA) and Levin (D-MI), Major General Guy C. Swan III, Bales, Ford's other three children, and others.[16]

The USS America Carrier Veterans Association (CVA) had pushed to name the ship USS America. The CVA is an association of sailors who served aboard . The carrier was decommissioned in 1996 and scuttled in 2005 in the Atlantic, as part of a damage test of large deck aircraft carriers.[17] The name "America" was instead assigned to, an amphibious assault ship commissioned in 2014.[18] [19]

History

Construction

On 10 September 2008, the U.S. Navy signed a $5.1 billion contract with Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia, to design and construct the carrier. Northrop had begun advance construction of the carrier under a $2.7 billion contract in 2005. The carrier was constructed at the Huntington Ingalls (formerly Northrop Grumman) Newport News Shipbuilding facilities in Newport News, Virginia.[20]

The keel of the new warship was ceremonially laid on 14 November 2009 in Dry Dock 12 by Ford's daughter, Susan Ford Bales. In a speech to the assembled shipworkers and DoD officials, Bales said: "Dad met the staggering challenges of restoring trust in the presidency and healing the nation's wounds after Watergate in the only way he knew how—with complete honesty and integrity. And that is the legacy we remember this morning."[21]

The ship's crest was developed jointly by the ship sponsor and first commanding officer, Captain John F. Meier.[22]

In August 2011, the carrier was reported to be "structurally halfway complete".[23] In April 2012, construction was said to be 75 percent complete.[24] On 24 May 2012, the important milestone of completing the vessel up to the waterline was reached when the critical lower bow was lifted into place.[25] This was the 390th of the nearly 500 lifts of the integral modular components from which the vessel is assembled. Huntington Ingalls reported in an 8 November press release construction had "reached 87 percent structural completion".[26] By 19 December 2012, construction had reached 90 percent structural completion. "Of the nearly 500 total structural lifts needed to complete the ship, 446 have been accomplished."[27]

The island was landed and accompanying ceremony took place on 26 January 2013.[28] [29]

On 7 May 2013, the last of 162 superlifts was put in place, bringing the ship to 100 percent structural completion.[30] [31]

On 11 July 2013, a time capsule was welded into a small room just above the floor, continuing a long Navy tradition. The time capsule holds items chosen by President Ford's daughter, Susan Ford Bales, and includes sandstone from the White House, Navy coins, and aviator wings from the ship's first commanding officer.[32]

The ship was originally scheduled for launch in July 2013 and delivery in 2015.[23] Production delays meant that the launch was delayed until 11 October 2013 and the naming ceremony until 9 November 2013,[33] with delivery in February 2016.[34]

On 3 October 2013, Gerald R. Ford had four 30-ton, 21feet-diameter bronze propellers installed. The installation of the propellers required more than ten months of work to install the underwater shafting.[35]

On 11 October 2013, the ship's drydock was flooded for the first time in order to test various seawater-based systems.[36] Her launch date was set to be on the same day as her naming ceremony on 9 November 2013.[37]

On 9 November 2013, the ship was christened by Ford's daughter, Susan Ford Bales, with a bottle of American sparkling wine.[38] [39]

As of 2013, construction costs were estimated at $12.8 billion, 22% over the 2008 budget, plus $4.7 billion in research and development costs. Because of budget difficulties, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert warned there might be a two-year delay beyond 2016 in completing Gerald R. Ford.[40] The GAO reported that the price cap would be met by the Navy accepting an incomplete ship for that cost.[41]

On 23 September 2015, the Navy announced that several weeks of testing delays would likely slip the delivery date into April or May 2016. In addition, construction was 93% complete as of September 2015.[42]

In July 2016, a memo was obtained by CNN from Michael Gilmore, the US Department of Defense's Director of Operational Testing and Evaluation indicating that problems with four major flight systems would further delay combat readiness of the ship. The ship was not expected to be delivered until November 2016 and these issues were suggested to further delay that goal. Construction of the ship was described as 98% complete, with 88% of testing finished.[43]

By March 2018, due to issues with the nuclear propulsion system and munitions elevators, construction costs had reached $13.027 billion, making the Gerald R. Ford the most expensive warship ever built. Planned delivery to the Navy was delayed by three months, to October 2019.[44] [45]

A video documentary of the construction was released by Newport News Shipbuilding in 2017.[46]

Performance improvements

Gerald R. Ford is intended to be the first of a class of aircraft carriers that offer significant performance improvements over the previous . Gerald R. Ford is equipped with an AN/SPY-3 and AN/SPY-4 active electronically scanned array multi-function, multi-band radar,[47] with the Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS) Mk2 Baseline 10 of the Mod 6 variant command and control system.[48] Its island, shorter in length and taller than that of the Nimitz class, is set farther aft and closer to the edge of the ship. Replacing traditional steam catapults, the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) will launch all non-VTOL carrier aircraft. This innovation eliminates the traditional requirement to generate and store steam, freeing up considerable area below-deck. With the EMALS, Gerald R. Ford can accomplish 25% more aircraft launches per day than the Nimitz class and requires 25% fewer crew members. The Navy estimates it will save $4 billion in operating costs over a 50-year lifespan.[49] According to an Associated Press story:

These performance enhancements were problematic in Pentagon tests, and final software fixes for some of the problems were delayed until after the ship's post-shakedown availability in 2019.[50] [51]

Operational and major system testing

In January 2014, the annual Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) report recorded that critical ship systems in lab and test environments (including the EMALS, Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG), Dual Band Radar, and weapons elevators) were not reliable enough and needed more testing and improvements. The Navy implemented a rigorous testing program to ensure performance issues would be resolved before the systems were installed on the aircraft carrier. Major problems with the main turbine generators were found in June 2016.[52] The fix, requiring design changes, was installed and was verified during acceptance trials in May 2017.[53] The Initial Operational Test & Evaluation milestone was achieved in April 2017.[54] On 8 April 2017, Gerald R. Ford got underway under her own power for the first time as she headed to sea for builder's trials.[55] She completed the trials and returned to port at Naval Station Norfolk on 14 April 2017.[56] On 24 May 2017, she departed for acceptance trials and completed them on 26 May 2017.[57]

In 2018, the Navy requested to delay shock trials for at least six years in order to speed up the ship's deployment, but this request was denied.[58] On 18 June 2021, Gerald R. Ford completed her first Full Ship Shock Trial 87nmi off Ponce Inlet, Florida to ensure that she is able to withstand battle conditions.[59] [60] 40,000 lbs. (18 tonnes) of TNT was detonated underwater, measured as a 3.9 magnitude earthquake by USGS.[61] Additional tests were conducted in July and August, with the test detonations set off closer to the hull. The ship was determined to have passed the tests and this concluded the trials.[62]

Delivery

On 31 May 2017, Newport News Shipbuilding delivered Gerald R. Ford to the U.S. Navy and her status was changed to Special, in service. Gerald R. Ford was formally commissioned into the United States Navy on 22 July 2017.

On 28 July 2017, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23) performed the first arrested landing and catapult launch from Gerald R. Ford in an F/A-18F Super Hornet.[63] [64] [65]

According to a GAO report in mid-2020 the Gerald R. Ford was still reporting significant problems with the operation of her weapons elevators,[66] while a DoD report in early 2021 stated that the ship was still not combat-ready, citing continuing problems with the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). Designed to achieve 4,166 aircraft launches between operational mission failures, it instead accomplished only 181.[67] [68]

On 20 March 2021, Gerald R. Ford and conducted Ready for Operations (RFO) by the Italian Navy while transiting the Atlantic Ocean.[69] In September 2022, Rear Adm. James Downey described the ship as "fully delivered" and has "met her initial operating capability".[70]

Operational service

2022

Gerald R. Ford left Naval Station Norfolk for Task Force Exercise (TFEX) on 4 October 2022. The carrier was to conduct operations and training exercises alongside NATO allies and partners throughout the Atlantic Ocean. Gerald R. Fords Carrier Strike Group 12 included Carrier Air Wing 8,, Destroyer Squadron 2 with, and, auxiliaries and, and the United States Coast Guard cutter .[71] Among the first NATO ships assigned to CSG-12 was the .[72]

Gerald R. Fords first port visit outside of her home country was on 28 October 2022, to Halifax Harbour in Nova Scotia, home of CFB Halifax, Canada's largest military installation and home port of the Royal Canadian Navy's Atlantic fleet.[73] [74] [75] On 14 November 2022 the ship arrived in United Kingdom waters, for a four day visit anchored in Stokes Bay near Gosport.[76] She returned to Norfolk on 26 November 2022.[77]

2023

On 3 May 2023, Gerald R. Ford departed Naval Station Norfolk on her first full length deployment and is scheduled to be operating in the 2nd and 6th Fleet's Area of Responsibility (AOR).[78] On 24 May 2023 the ship arrived just outside Oslo, Norway for NATO exercises,[79] [80] hosting a visit from Norway's Crown Prince Haakon.[81] She is scheduled to head towards the Arctic later for further drills.[82] On 26 June 2023 the ship sailed to the Mediterranean and arrived in Split, Croatia for crew rest.[83] In early October 2023, Gerald R. Ford conducted naval exercises with the Italian navy in the Ionian Sea.[84]

On 8 October 2023, the day after the Hamas attack on Israel, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, directed the Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean "to bolster regional deterrence efforts." Along with the carrier, the group includes the cruiser, and the destroyers,, and .[85] The U.S. later also sent the -led CSG-2 to the Mediterranean to supplement CSG-12 in the same mission. While the carrier remained in the Mediterranean, several of the escort ships were sent into the Red Sea, where they repeatedly intercepted missiles and drones fired from Yemen.

2024

The U.S. 6th Fleet announced on January 1, 2024, that the Gerald R. Ford CSG would return to Norfolk after being relieved by an Amphibious Ready Group consisting of, and .[86] [87]

On 17 January 2024, Gerald R. Ford returned to Norfolk after an eight-month deployment. The carrier spent a total of 239 days away from Norfolk, conducted 43 underway replenishments, logged more than 10,396 sorties, and sailed more than 83476abbr=offNaNabbr=off.[88]

See also

External links

OSD Operational Testing and Evaluation Annual Reports re: CVN78

Notes and References

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  2. Web site: USS Gerald R. Ford CVN 78 . U.S. Carriers . 8 March 2015 . 4 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160306085430/http://www.uscarriers.net/cvn78history.htm . 6 March 2016 . live .
  3. Web site: O'Rourke. Ronald. Navy CVN-21 Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress. Naval Historical Center. https://web.archive.org/web/20061201055019/http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/navycvn21.htm. 1 December 2006. 25 May 2005. Department of the Navy.
  4. Web site: USS Enterprise: Past Present And Future. The Official US Navy Blog. US Navy. 1 December 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20121204110157/http://navylive.dodlive.mil/?p=14424. 4 December 2012.
  5. News: Jenkins. Aric. The USS Gerald Ford Is the Most Advanced Aircraft Carrier in the World. 23 July 2017. Fortune. 22 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170723003253/http://fortune.com/2017/07/22/uss-gerald-ford-commissioning/. 23 July 2017. live.
  6. Web site: Sam . LaGrone . Delay in Aircraft Carrier Ford Testing Could Compress Workups for First Deployment . . 18 January 2017 . 8 June 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170218122842/https://news.usni.org/2017/01/18/delay-in-aircraft-carrier-ford-testing-could-compress-workups-for-first-deployment . 18 February 2017 .
  7. Web site: Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group Departs for First Deployment . . 2022-10-05 . U.S. Navy . 2023-01-02.
  8. Web site: David . Szondy . World's largest supercarrier USS Gerald R Ford commissioned . New Atlas . 22 July 2017 . 29 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180830074246/https://newatlas.com/uss-gerald-ford-commissioning/50577/ . 30 August 2018 . live .
  9. Web site: Up close with the world's largest warship. navylookout.com. 19 November 2022. 31 March 2023.
  10. United States Library of Congress. Web site: Congressional Record, S5815 ., Senate Amendment 4211. Retrieved 5 December 2006.
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  14. Web site: Donald Rumsfeld's Eulogy for President Ford. Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. 3 January 2007. 4 December 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20080316020828/http://www.ford.utexas.edu/grf/Funeral/rumsfeld.asp. 16 March 2008. live.
  15. Web site: Next Navy aircraft carrier to be named for late President Gerald Ford, buried Wednesday. Associated Press. https://web.archive.org/web/20080119193307/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/03/america/NA_GEN_US_Gerald_Ford_Carrier.php . 19 January 2008 . 3 January 2007.
  16. Web site: Remarks by Susan Ford Bales at the Naming Ceremony for the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). . https://web.archive.org/web/20080326013756/http://www.gvsu.edu/ford/index.cfm?id=64CE86AD-B639-5F3E-1D2A21C288593229. 26 March 2008. 16 January 2007.
  17. Web site: Name CVN78 USS America: A new flagship for America! . 21 January 2007 . USS America Carrier Veterans Association . 5 December 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090302083328/http://www.cvn78.com/index.htm . 2 March 2009 . live.
  18. Web site: Navy Names New Amphibious Assault Ship . United States Navy . 30 June 2008 . 5 September 2019.
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  20. Web site: Adams . Kathy . Newport News shipyard gets $5.1B contract for carrier Ford . . 11 September 2008 . 24 February 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170225125950/http://pilotonline.com/business/newport-news-shipyard-gets-b-contract-for-carrier-ford/article_e6896f50-7dfa-5daa-a4c8-563a2e5b1d6e.html . 25 February 2017 .
  21. Frost, Peter, "Shipyard Lays Keel of Carrier in Solemn Tribute To Gerald R. Ford", Newport News Daily Press, 15 November 2009.
  22. Web site: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation Newsletter / Special Commissioning Edition . 2017 . 21 July 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190721194638/https://geraldrfordfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/RFS-Final-Commissioning-Special-Edition.pdf . 21 July 2019 . live .
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  25. Web site: Bow piece for USS Gerald R. Ford lifted into place. Gooding. Mike. WVEC Television. 27 May 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20131020090808/http://www.wvec.com/news/local/Bow-piece-for-USS-Gerald-R-Ford-lifted-into-place-153636285.html. 20 October 2013.
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  27. Web site: Gerald R Ford (CVN 78) Hits the 90 Percent Mark for Structural Completion . http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20160806073422/http://ir.huntingtoningalls.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=243052&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1768655 . 6 August 2016 . News Release . Huntington Ingalls . 19 December 2012 . 25 June 2013 .
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  29. Web site: Newport News Shipbuilding Completes Flight Deck on Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford . https://web.archive.org/web/20130426053110/http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1000 . 26 April 2013. 16 April 2013 . Navy Recognition.
  30. Web site: Next milestone today for carrier USS Gerald R. Ford . https://web.archive.org/web/20131020090802/http://www.wvec.com/my-city/nnews/Another-milestone-today-for-carrier-USS-Gerald-R-Ford-206389781.html . 20 October 2013 . . 7 May 2013.
  31. Web site: Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Aircraft Carrier's Primary Hull Structure Reaches 100 Percent Completion . https://web.archive.org/web/20130707110710/http://www.globenewswire.com/newsarchive/hii/pages/news_releases.html?d=10031990 . 7 July 2013. Huntington Ingalls . 8 May 2013.
  32. Web site: Time capsule welded into future USS Gerald R. Ford . https://web.archive.org/web/20131019165913/http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130711/NEWS04/307110022/Time-capsule-welded-into-future-USS-Gerald-R-Ford . 19 October 2013 . Military Times. 11 July 2013. Vergakis. Brock. Associated Press. Newport News, VA.
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  35. News: Newport News Shipbuilding Installs 30-Ton Propellers on Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford . https://web.archive.org/web/20131019204035/http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20131003-909281.html . 19 October 2013 . The Wall Street Journal. 3 October 2013.
  36. News: Floating the Ford: New carrier meets the water. https://web.archive.org/web/20131016235526/http://articles.dailypress.com/2013-10-11/news/dp-nws-ford-drydock-flooded-20131011_1_aircraft-carrier-new-carrier-susan-ford-bales . 16 October 2013 . Daily Press. 11 October 2013. Hugh. Lessig.
  37. Web site: Navy floods dry dock around USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier ahead of 9 Nov. christening . Garret . Ellison . Michigan Live . 13 October 2013 . 15 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131017014818/http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/10/navys_newest_aircraft_carrier.html . 17 October 2013 . live .
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  62. Web site: Malewar . Amit . US Navy's new Gerald R. Ford successfully completed Full Ship Shock Trials . Inceptive Mind . https://web.archive.org/web/20210812062316/https://www.inceptivemind.com/us-navy-uss-gerald-r-ford-completed-full-ship-shock-trials/20537/ . 12 August 2021 . 12 August 2021 . live.
  63. News: Woody. Christopher. Watch the Navy's newest, most sophisticated aircraft carrier land and launch her first aircraft. 10 August 2017. Business Insider. 31 July 2017. Military and Defense. https://web.archive.org/web/20170811010939/http://www.businessinsider.com/navys-gerald-r-ford-aircraft-carrier-land-launch-its-first-aircraft-2017-7. 11 August 2017. live.
  64. Web site: Local man pilots first plane to land on U.S.S. Gerald Ford . . 29 July 2017 . 2 August 2017 . Domeck . Ann . https://web.archive.org/web/20170802210821/http://fox8.com/2017/07/29/local-man-pilots-first-plane-to-land-on-u-s-s-gerald-ford/ . 2 August 2017 . live .
  65. Web site: LaGrone. Sam. VIDEO: USS Gerald R. Ford Conducts First Arrested Landing, Catapult Launch. USNI News. U.S. Naval Institute. 28 July 2017. 30 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171223002423/https://news.usni.org/2017/07/28/video-uss-gerald-r-ford-conducts-first-arrested-landing-catapult-launch. 23 December 2017. live.
  66. Web site: USS Ford still has major technical problems, says GAO report . Christen . McCurdy . 4 June 2020 . . 16 January 2021.
  67. Web site: The Navy's $13 billion supercarrier still can't do the one thing it's absolutely required to do . Jared . Keller . 11 January 2021 . . 16 January 2021.
  68. Web site: U.S. Navy Most Expensive Aircraft Carrier Ever USS Gerald R. Ford Still Having Problems . Alan . Gallindoss . 10 January 2021 . . 16 January 2021.
  69. Web site: 2021-03-22. USS Gerald R. Ford Completes another Independent Steaming Event - Shock Trials are Next. 2021-03-24. Naval News. en-US.
  70. Web site: PEO Carriers: USS Gerald R. Ford 'Fully Delivered' Ready to Deploy . USNI News . 26 September 2022.
  71. Web site: Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group Departs for First Deployment . U.S. Navy . 5 October 2022 . 6 October 2022.
  72. Web site: Photo Gallery. U.S. Navy . 5 October 2022 . 9 October 2022.
  73. Web site: USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Halifax for First International Port Visit . United States Navy. 28 October 2022. 5 November 2022.
  74. Web site: First deployment for American aircraft carrier includes visit to Halifax this weekend. 26 October 2022. Global News. 28 October 2022.
  75. Web site: The Canadian Press . 2022-10-28 . Massive American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Halifax harbour . .
  76. News: Toogood . Darren . Nuclear warship USS Gerald R Ford will visit the Solent next week . 14 November 2022 . 12 November 2022.
  77. News: Munoz . Adonica . Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group returns to homeport concluding inaugural deployment . 7 April 2023 . Defense Visual Information Distribution Service . 26 November 2022.
  78. Web site: USS Gerald R Ford leaves Norfolk for first full-length deployment. navytimes.com. 2 May 2023. 4 May 2023.
  79. News: Gwladys Fouche . Victoria Klesty . 24 May 2023 . Massive US aircraft carrier sails into Oslo for NATO exercises . Yahoo! News . .
  80. Web site: Iversen . Nicklas . 2023-05-25 . World's Biggest Aircraft Carrier "USS Gerald R. Ford" Docks In Oslo, Norway . The Norway Guide . 2023-05-25 . en-US.
  81. Web site: Crown Prince on board the USS Gerald R. Ford . Royal House of Norway . 16 August 2023.
  82. News: AFP . May 24, 2023 . World's biggest warship visits Oslo, angering Russia . France24 . May 26, 2023.
  83. News: 26 June 2023 . Najveći ratni brod usidrio se pred Splitom, pogledajte kako izgleda američka grdosija . Slobodna Dalmacija .
  84. Web site: Brian T. Glunt . 5 October 2023 . GRFCSG Strengthens Interoperability with Italy . 2023-10-08 . United States Navy . en-US.
  85. Web site: Statement From Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III on U.S. Force Posture Changes in the Middle East . 2023-10-08 . . en-US.
  86. News: Copp . Tara . The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier is returning home after extended deployment defending Israel . . Washington. 2024-01-01 . 2024-01-02 . 2024-01-01 . http://web.archive.org/web/20240101200631/https://apnews.com/article/uss-gerald-r-ford-aircraft-carrier-israel-20fb033f78bfd37fb4b0cf1df468a731 . live . The Ford and its accompanying warships will be replaced by the amphibious assault ship the USS Bataan and its accompanying warships, the USS Mesa Verde and the USS Carter Hall. .
  87. News: Pandy . Jordan . US Navy says the Ford carrier strike group is finally heading home after its first full deployment was upended by war . . . . 2024-01-01 . 2024-01-02 . 2024-01-02 . http://web.archive.org/web/20240102003725/https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/us-navy-says-the-ford-carrier-strike-group-is-finally-heading-home-after-its-first-full-deployment-was-upended-by-war/ar-AA1mkep5#image=1 . live . The sudden outbreak of violence in the Middle East, [...] led to repeated extensions of the Ford CSG's deployment. The strike group has been at sea for over 240 days, per USNI News. [...] will return to its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia..
  88. News: Sicard . Sarah . Aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford returns home after 8-month deployment . 25 January 2024 . Navy Times . 19 January 2024.

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