Nov 14, 2022

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) arrives in Stokes Bay, Gosport

An early start for me to head down to Gosport to photograph the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier.

The weather looked to be good for the arrival with the sun and patchy cloud cover. Unfortunately the cloud cleared just as the carrier was coming in which meant my photos were taken straight into the sun. It did give me a good excuse to stay around longer to get some evening photos and some attempts at panoramic photos.

A panoramic image of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) with the sun setting behind

This was to be the carriers maiden voyage after being formally commissioned into the United States Navy on 22 July 2017.

Gerald R. Ford left Naval Station Norfolk for her maiden deployment on 4 October 2022. The carrier was to conduct operations and training exercises alongside NATO allies and partners throughout the Atlantic Ocean. Gerald R. Ford's Carrier Strike Group 12 included Carrier Air Wing 8, USS Normandy, Destroyer Squadron 2 with USS Ramage, USS McFaul and USS Thomas Hudner, auxiliaries USNS Joshua Humphreys and USNS Robert E. Peary, and the United States Coast Guard cutter USCGC Hamilton. Among the first NATO ships assigned to CSG-12 was the German frigate Hessen.

Gerald R. Ford returning to Naval Station Norfolk after completing its inaugural deployment to the Atlantic Ocean, 26 November 2022.

Gerald R. Ford's 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 On 14 November 2022 the ship arrived in United Kingdom waters, for a four day visit anchored in Stokes Bay near Gosport.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is the lead ship of her class of United States Navy aircraft carriers. The ship is named after the 38th President of the United States, Gerald Ford, She is 1,092 ft (333 m) - 1,106 ft (337 m) in length with a Beam of 134 ft (41 m) to the waterline and 256 ft (78 m) to the flight deck. The height stands at 250 ft (76 m) with 25 decks. Making her the largest aircraft carrier in the world to date.

Installed power units are two Bechtel A1BPWR nuclear reactors attracted to 4 shafts which can power her to around 30 knots.

Full compliment including the airwing crew is around 4500 personnel.

CVW-8 consists of 8 Squadrons