CVN-78 Gerald Ford
Nearly 4,500 Sailors assigned to the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group departed Naval Station Norfolk and Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, 24 June 2025, for a regularly-scheduled deployment to the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) area of responsibility. The strike group deployed as an integrated naval force in support of economic prosperity, national security, and national defense. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group provides combatant commanders and America’s civilian leaders increased capacity to underpin American security and economic prosperity, deter adversaries, and project power on a global scale through sustained operations at sea.
"Carrier Strike Group Twelve is the most capable, adaptable, and lethal naval mission package in the world," said Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, commander of Carrier Strike Group Twelve. "Our force stands prepared and ready to execute sustained, multi-domain operations at sea, wherever and whenever tasked, in support of American security and economic prosperity."
Deploying units include flagship USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), commanded by Capt. Dave Skarosi; the nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, commanded by Capt. David Dartez; Arleigh Burke-class destroyers within Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, commanded by Capt. Mark Lawrence; and Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), homeported at Naval Station Mayport and commanded by Capt. Judson Mallory.
“I am beyond proud of the work the warfighters on this ship have put in to prepare for this deployment, and thankful for the families and friends who continue to support them,” said Capt. Dave Skarosi, commanding officer of Gerald R. Ford. “I have no doubt that this ship and crew will face and overcome any challenges with overwhelming force and fortitude, showcasing the power and lethality of the Ford-class carrier to the world.” Guided-missile destroyers of DESRON 2 include USS Mitscher (DDG 57), USS Mahan (DDG 72), USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), and USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98). Forrest Sherman deployed from Naval Station Norfolk on May 6, 2025.
Squadrons of CVW 8, embarked aboard Gerald R. Ford include Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37, “Ragin’ Bulls”; Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213, “Blacklions”; Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31, “Tomcatters”; Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87, “Golden Warriors”; Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142, “Gray Wolves”; Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 124, “Bear Aces”; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9, “Tridents”; Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70, “Spartans”; and a detachment from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 “Rawhides.”
The world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Mahan (DDG 72), USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), and USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), all assigned to Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG), transited the Strait of Dover into the North Sea, Aug. 17. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group was the last U.S. carrier strike group to transit through the Strait of Dover, on Oct. 14, 2024.
"Gerald R. Ford's agile transit through the Strait of Dover between England and France is a testament to our power projection capability that supports peace through strength," said Capt. Dave Skarosi, commanding officer of Gerald R. Ford. "Our skilled navigation team ensures that the world's largest aircraft carrier brings our capability as a forward-positioned force anytime, anyplace, to defend the Euro-Atlantic region from hostile action."
The inherent flexibility and scalable maritime force that GRFCSG provides to the NATO Alliance is unrivaled, and their continued operations in the U.S. European Command area of operation reinforces the U.S. Navy's ironclad commitment to the stability and security of the European theater. "A free and open maritime domain benefits all nations," said Capt. Mark Lawrence, commodore of Destroyer Squadron Two, embarked aboard Gerald R. Force as the Sea Combat Commander. "Our collective surface force's transit into the North Sea demonstrates our resolve to strengthen peace, stability, and deterrence across the European continent."
Historically known as the Dover Narrows, the Strait of Dover is the slimmest part of the English Channel and separates Great Britain from mainland Europe. It also delineates the border between the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea.
The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) made a port of call in Split, Croatia, arriving on October 22, 2025, for a scheduled visit. This was the Ford's second visit to Split, with the first one taking place in June 2023. US Navy units frequently visit Croatia for maintenance, mutual security training opportunities, and liberty, and the Sailors of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group were excited to continue the tradition. It is a welcome opportunity for our crews to enjoy a beautiful country and experience the Croatian culture, but also for us to engage with a crucial ally and build upon the strong U.S.-Croatia relationship that is founded on our shared values. Gerald R. Ford anchored off the coast of Split to host local officials and key leaders for a reception to celebrate the strong, extensive alliance between the U.S. and Croatia. The port call provided Gerald R. Ford Sailors the opportunity to experience the rich culture of Croatia.
Carrier Strike Group Twelve was on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support the warfighting effectiveness, lethality, and readiness of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and defend U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region. For more than 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa has forged strategic relationships with our Allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.
The Pentagon announced 24 October 2025 that War Secretary Pete Hegseth had directed the USS Gerald R. Ford and its accompanying strike group to move under US Southern Command to "enhance U.S. capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that threaten the safety and prosperity of the United States," Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a social media statement.
"In support of the President’s directive to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) and counter narco-terrorism in defense of the Homeland, the Secretary of War has directed the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group and embarked carrier air wing to the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) area of responsibility (AOR)," chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said. "The enhanced U.S. force presence in the USSOUTHCOM AOR will bolster U.S. capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the safety and prosperity of the United States homeland and our security in the Western Hemisphere," he added. "These forces will enhance and augment existing capabilities to disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle TCOs."
As of the announcement, the Ford was docked in Croatia, on the Adriatic Sea. The USS Ford strike group includes five destroyers and was then operating in the Mediterranean Sea, with one destroyer positioned in the Arabian Sea and another in the Red Sea. The air distance "as the crow flies" from Split, Croatia to Caracas, Venezuela is approximately 9,500 kilometers (5,900 miles). This is the direct, straight-line distance between the two cities, ignoring any flight paths or geographical obstacles. The sea distance between Split, Croatia, and Venezuela is approximately 8,000 nautical miles (about 15,000 km) via Strait of Gibraltar. This is a direct, theoretical distance and the actual sailing distance will be longer due to currents, weather, and required routes.
Elements of the Ford Strike Group would probably take about a week to transit at best available speed from Croatian waters, and would arrive in the target area around Halloween, or a day or two thereafter. A more leisurely transit at a typical crusing speed of 20 knots would take about 10 days, versuf the 7 days of a faster evolution.
The actual transit speed and time between Croatia and SOUTHCOM waters would depend on ocean currents, and weather, and could be significantly influenced by factors like the speed of the Atlantic currents or a vessel's ability to maintain speed in open ocean.
For a carrier battle group, "best available speed" means moving at the highest possible safe and sustainable speed, typically between 30 and 35 knots. This order is reserved for urgent operational demands, such as positioning the strike group for combat or rapidly moving toward a crisis area. While a single carrier might be able to achieve even higher bursts of speed, a battle group is only as fast as its slowest member. Even though a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier can sustain high speeds, its escorts—such as cruisers and destroyers, some of which are conventionally powered—may not be able to maintain the same pace indefinitely.
Maintaining the highest speeds is not fuel-efficient for conventionally powered vessels in the group, as it significantly increases fuel consumption. Commanders must balance speed against range, with average cruising speeds typically ranging from 18 to 22 knots to conserve fuel. High-speed travel puts immense strain on all the ships in the formation, causing excessive engine and component wear. The carrier often has to alter its course and speed to head into the wind for flight operations, a maneuver that interrupts steady-state transit. The command's priority is a predictable and safe speed for the launch and recovery of aircraft.
In practice, a battle group's path is a series of strategic maneuvers, not a straight line at a fixed speed. A command for "best available speed" would signal a shift from an economical transit to a rapid response, where strategic positioning outweighs concerns about fuel consumption or component strain.
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