Month: December 2023

Source: United States Navy

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), a part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG), arrived in Souda Bay, Greece, for a regularly scheduled port visit November 30, 2023.

Porting in Souda Bay provides a chance to further strengthen the United States’ partnership with its NATO ally, Greece, and also demonstrates the U.S.’s commitment to a stable, secure, and prosperous Europe, while allowing Thomas Hudner’s Sailors to experience the unique aspects of Grecian culture.

“Thomas Hudner’s visit to Souda Greece follows an exciting op-tempo in the 5th Fleet area of operation,” said Commander Shelby M. Nikitin, commanding officer, USS Thomas Hudner, “This port visit highlights our support for Greece, and continues to fortify our commitment to maintaining strong relationships with all our NATO allies. My officers and crew are thrilled to be hosted by Chania and look forward to a well-deserved liberty port.”
During Thomas Hudner’s time in Souda Bay, the ship will conduct topside preservation and maintenance after a long period of operational tasking in the Middle East.

Thomas Hudner’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation committee has organized tours of several cultural sites, including tours of Rethymno and Lake Kournas, as well as local wineries showcasing one of Chania’s finest exports.
“The Grecian countryside looks beautiful, and I am greatly looking forward to the tour of Rethymno and Lake Kournas,” said Gunner’s Mate (Vertical Launch System) 3rd Class Benjamin L. Hallwachs. “I can’t wait to see what all Chania has to offer.”
CSG-12, Gerald R. Ford CSG, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

Thomas Hudner is a part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG). The GRFCSG is comprised of Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, the Information Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60).

The ships of DESRON-2 within the GRFCSG are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS McFaul (DDG 74), and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116).

The squadrons of CVW-8 embarked aboard Gerald R. Ford are the “Tridents” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9, the “Spartans” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70, the “Bear Aces” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW 124), the “Ragin’ Bulls” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37, the “Blacklions” of (VFA-213), the “Golden Warriors” of (VFA-87), the “Tomcatters” of (VFA-31), the “Gray Wolves” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142, and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40.

For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

Source: United States Navy

USS Normandy (CG 60), a part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG), arrived in Piraeus, Greece, for a regularly scheduled port visit December 3, 2023.
The port call to Piraeus demonstrates the strong camaraderie between the U.S. Navy and the Hellenic navy.

“Normandy’s visit to Piraeus, Greece, follows an extended period at sea, providing a persistent presence in the Eastern Mediterranean,” said Capt. Errol A. Robinson, commanding officer, USS Normandy. “Piraeus offers my officers and crew an opportunity to experience the great culture and rich history of this modern metropolis setting.”
“I have always loved Greek mythology,” said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Jaylon Titus, so sightseeing in Athens will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m most looking forward to visiting the Acropolis.”

The last U.S. Navy vessel to visit Piraeus was the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, on July 27, 2023.
The GRFCSG has spent a significant amount of its maiden deployment steaming with the Hellenic navy, with Normandy hosting Greek sailors from HS Elli aboard in late August.

Normandy is a part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG). The GRFCSG is comprised of Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, the Information Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60).

The ships of DESRON-2 within the GRFCSG are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS McFaul (DDG 74), and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116).

The squadrons of CVW-8 embarked aboard Gerald R. Ford are the “Tridents” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9, the “Spartans” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70, the “Bear Aces” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW 124), the “Ragin’ Bulls” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37, the “Blacklions” of (VFA-213), the “Golden Warriors” of (VFA-87), the “Tomcatters” of (VFA-31), the “Gray Wolves” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142, and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40.

For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

Source: United States Navy

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti spoke during a panel while at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California on Dec. 2, 2023. The panel was “Laboratories of Learning,” and focused on innovation and technological breakthroughs in the Department of Defense. Speakers included: Representative Ken Calvert, U.S. House of Representatives; James Taiclet, Chairmen, President, and CEO of Lockheed Martin Corporation; Gen. David Allvin, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff; and the moderator, Jim Sciutto from CNN.

Source: United States Navy

This port visit is the capital ship’s sixth stop while deployed to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR) area of operations. The port call will offer Gerald R. Ford Sailors the opportunity to experience the rich history and culture of Greece and enhance the strong partnership between the U.S. and Greece.

“The crew has been laser-focused on the mission, and I am really proud of our Sailors’ work and efforts these past couple of months as our nation’s capital ship has remained on scene and prepared to do our duty,” said Capt. Rick Burgess, Commanding Officer of Gerald R. Ford. “The team has earned some time off and looks forward to taking in Greek culture and exploring Souda Bay, Chania, and the surrounding area. Earlier this summer, Gerald R. Ford visited Piraeus and Athens, and the port visit remains one of the highlights of our deployment because of the hospitality of our cherished Ally.”

The U.S. Navy routinely operates with Greece, sending its largest aircraft carrier in the fleet to Souda Bay just four months after it visited Piraeus. Since Piraeus, the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG) conducted three steaming exercises with the Hellenic Navy and hosted the commanding officers of HS Elli (F-450) and HS Psara (F-454) aboard the flagship, Gerald R. Ford. On Nov. 28, Psara joined the strike group to conduct joint and combined training in the Mediterranean Sea.

Gerald R. Ford’s most recent port visit in theater was in Trieste, Italy, Sept. 17-21. The ship deployed from Norfolk, Virginia on May 2, and has been conducting training, exercises, and operations to support maritime stability and security in defense of U.S., Allied, and partner interests.

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 deliver greater lethality, survivability and joint interoperability with a 20% smaller crew than a Nimitz-class carrier, paving the way forward for naval aviation.

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG) is conducting a scheduled deployment in U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations, demonstrating the commitment and power projection capability of the Navy’s globally deployed force. The GRFCSG provides an inherently flexible naval force capable of deploying across combatant commands to meet emerging missions, deter potential adversaries, reassure allies and partners, enhance security and guarantee the free flow of global commerce. In total, the GRFCSG is deployed with more than 6,000 Sailors across all platforms ready to respond globally to combatant commander tasking.

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).

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations. Our persistent presence in Europe is in accordance with our international commitments and agreements and is necessary to reassure our Allies and Partners of our commitment to collective defense.

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).

Source: United States Navy

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti met with Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Adm. Sakai Ryo at the Japanese Self-Defense Force headquarters building on Camp Ichigaya, Tokyo, Japan, today.

Franchetti’s visit, her first international trip as CNO, underscored the U.S Navy’s commitment to strengthening the U.S. – Japan alliance amid historic shared momentum toward peace, stability, and deterrence in a free and open Indo-Pacific.

During their meeting, the two Heads of Navy discussed how the operations and integration between the JMSDF and U.S. Navy support and enforce the rules-based international order. 

Franchetti thanked Sakai for his leadership and JMSDF’s contributions to the peace and stability in the region. The leaders also discussed forward-deployed Navy personnel in Japan, as well as the upcoming swap of the aircraft carriers USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and USS George Washington (CVN 73).

The U.S. Navy and JMSDF regularly operate together around the globe. Notably, both navies participated in this year’s Large Scale Exercise, Sea Dragon and Resilient Shield exercises, as well as supported numerous international joint operations.

Franchetti and Sakai last met in September at the U.S. Navy’s International Seapower Symposium in Newport, Rhode Island.

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