The Ticonderoga-class guided missile destroyer USS Normandy, part of the Gerald R. Ford Service Strike Group (CSG) transited the Strait of Gibraltar and entered the Atlantic Ocean on Jan. 5, 2024.
Normandy entered the sixth Fleet space of operations in June 2023 to help the Ford CSG on its inaugural deployment.
Normandy and the Ford CSG labored extensively with regional allies and companions over the course of deployment to show the U.S. and NATO dedication to maritime safety in Europe and Africa. Along with conducting air protection workouts to extend interoperability with allies, Normandy and the Ford CSG offered a persistent stabilizing drive within the Jap Mediterranean following the Oct. 7, 2023 assaults on Israel by Hamas.
“Transiting the Strait of Gibraltar is a time-honored ceremony of passage for navy and civilian mariners alike,” mentioned Lt. Donald Luchau, ship’s navigator. “The Strait guards entry to the Mediterranean Sea, one of the vital working areas for the U.S. Navy. With its shut proximity to land, and excessive site visitors density, bridge watch standers are tasked with the best ranges of bridge useful resource administration, ship-handling, and navigation to undertake this necessary milestone.”
The strait is 7.7 nautical miles huge at its narrowest level with heavy site visitors consisting of ferries, retailers and fishing boats from each continents.
“I’ve served onboard Normandy for seven years and this will probably be my tenth time crossing by the Strait,” mentioned Fireplace Controlman (AEGIS) 1st Class Calvin Espich. “Regardless that I’ve carried out it so many occasions, I at all times come up topside to observe the view.”
The Ford CSG is at present on an 8-month deployment to help maritime safety operations and theater safety cooperation efforts.
The Gerald R. Ford Service Strike Group is comprised of its flagship and namesake, the Ford-class plane provider USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), Service Air Wing Eight (CVW-8), Destroyer Squadron Two (DESRON-2), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60), and 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 Fight Squadron (HSC) 9, the “Spartans” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70, the “Bear Aces” of Airborne Command and Management 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 “Grey Wolves” of Digital Assault Squadron (VAQ) 142, and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Assist Squadron (VRC) 40.
