Photo By Cmdr. Desiree Frame | An F/A-18E Super Hornet, left, attached to the "Ragin' Bulls" of Strike Fighter...... read more read more
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During a two-week period of integrated operations, CSG-12 logged a number of firsts, including a complex air defense exercise, embarked joint military operations, advanced maritime strikes, and a significant number of synchronized fixed-wing and rotary-wing training events.
“It has truly been an honor to be a part of this historic process," said Capt. Josh Sager, commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW)-8. “CVW-8 is grateful for the opportunity to team up with the USS Gerald R. Ford team, helping to bring this first-in-class aircraft carrier to full operational capability.
During nine days of cyclic flight operations, Ford’s state-of the-art advanced technologies, including the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and Advanced Arresting Gear proved integral to the air wing’s success.
“Independent steaming event (ISE) 13 proved to be a tremendous success, allowing the ship's first-ever full cyclic operations, complex air wing training evolutions, and integrated carrier strike group operations,” added Sager. “We look forward to working with Capt. Cummings [Ford’s commanding officer] and his team of professionals in future evolutions, as we bring Ford closer to her first-ever deployment.”
Over the course of ISE 13, CSG-12’s warfare commanders also executed unit-level training and other large-force exercises. It was also the first time an Information Warfare Commander (IWC) embarked Ford, with the intent to integrate IWC capabilities with the ship, the air wing, destroyer squadron (DESRON), and air and missile defense commander staffs.
“The objectives the IWC had coming into this was to test our ability to operate and integrate with the other warfare commanders, and also to run Ford through some information warfare drills, to see where she lies in executing her electromagnetic warfare capabilities, ” said Capt. Steve Shepard, CSG-12’s IWC. “We have a lot of new technology, so it’s a matter of integrating that new technology into our daily operations and understanding our options for applying those capabilities in executing the mission.”
Shepard added, “One of the best things about Ford is the crew’s ability to grow with technology. Everything we do now will set the stage for our success down the road. We are operating at a higher level already, and I credit that to our Sailors, because our Sailors are our primary weapons system. They are motivated and they want to do well, and I think the chance for Ford Sailors to go operational is reflective of their professionalism and their ability to learn.”
In addition, during ISE 13, DESRON-2 focused on preparing Ford’s CSG to defend against surface and subsurface threats, using CVW-8 aircraft and ship’s self-defense force.
“DESRON’s role was to provide maritime integration with the air wing, and to learn what capabilities Ford has that we can use to employ in the sea combat commander’s role,” said Capt. Stefan Walch, DESRON-2’s deputy commodore. “The integration between the air wing and the sea combat commander was tight, and I don’t think that could have ever been replicated had we not been at sea. There were a lot of good lessons learned out here that are only going to make us better. We were able to identify some areas that we want to expand upon, and we’ll further push that envelope forward to increase the capabilities for the follow-on ISEs.”
USS Gerald R. Ford returned to Norfolk Nov 20 to begin a scheduled Window of Opportunity for maintenance, as part of her Post-delivery Test and Trails phase of operations. Ford is now five months shy of completing her 18-month PDT&T.
For more news about Carrier Strike Group 12 visit https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CSG12.
| Date Taken: | 11.20.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 02.14.2021 07:07 |
| Story ID: | 383488 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 84 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group Completes first-ever fully-Integrated Operations, by PO1 Jeffrey Troutman, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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