This port go to is the capital ship’s fourth cease whereas deployed to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR) space of operations, and gives a possibility to reinforce the sturdy partnership between the U.S. and Türkiye.
Previous to arriving in Antalya, the Gerald R. Ford Strike Group (GRFCSG) 72s carried out a sequence of coordinated occasions with Turkish Navy ships (TCG) Anadolu, Goksu, Gediz, Imbat, Meltem, Burakreis, and Turkish Air Pressure F-16s, KC-135s, and P-72s to reinforce associate interoperability and exhibit dedication to safety within the Mediterranean.
“The Gerald R. Ford Service Strike Group operated with our companions within the Turkish Navy and Air Pressure executing a sequence of multi-domain workout routines previous to our arrival in Antalya,” mentioned Rear Adm. Erik J. Eslich, Commander, Service Strike Group 12. “The workout routines strengthened the bond we share with Türkiye and enhanced our frequent understanding of maritime techniques and procedures advancing interoperability goals. Moreover, our collective efforts reinforce our shared objectives of selling peace and stability within the area.”
The U.S. Navy routinely operates with its Turkish Allies, and Ford’s go to to Antalya comes shortly after the U.S. Sixth Fleet Command Ship, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), visited Istanbul, and whereas the guided-missile cruiser, USS Normandy (CG 60), visits Aksaz.
Earlier than arriving in Antalya, Gerald R. Ford hosted key authorities and army leaders aboard to look at the first-in-class plane service’s operations at sea. Company skilled Gerald R. Ford’s capabilities firsthand, witnessing the launch and restoration of embarked Service Air Wing (CVW) 8 plane from the flight deck, touring the ship’s plane upkeep restore services, and assembly with GRFCSG Sailors and management.
Gerald R. Ford is anchored off the coast of Antalya and can once more host native officers and army leaders for a dinner to have a good time the sturdy, in depth alliance between the U.S. and Türkiye. The port name additionally gives Gerald R. Ford Sailors the chance to expertise Türkiye’s wealthy historical past and tradition.
“This go to is a good alternative for the Sailors of USS Gerald R. Ford, Service Strike Group 12, Service Air Wing 8, and Destroyer Squadron 2 to have interaction with a key ally on a private degree and expertise Turkish tradition,” mentioned Gerald R. Ford Commanding Officer Capt. Rick Burgess. “Our crew is happy to take pleasure in a wonderful nation and sightsee in a metropolis so wealthy in historical past.”
The Gerald R. Ford Service Strike Group (GRFCSG) is conducting a scheduled deployment in U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet space of operations, demonstrating the dedication and energy projection functionality of the Navy’s globally deployed drive. The GRFCSG gives an inherently versatile naval drive able to deploying throughout combatant instructions to satisfy rising missions, deter potential adversaries, reassure allies and companions, improve safety and assure the free circulate of world commerce. In complete, the GRFCSG is deployed with greater than 5,000 Sailors throughout all platforms prepared to reply globally to combatant commander tasking.
The Gerald R. Ford Service Strike Group consists of Service Strike Group 12, Service Air Wing 8, Destroyer Squadron 2, USS Normandy (CG 60), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS McFaul (DDG 74), and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116)
