Naval Warfighting:New Carrier Being Put to the Test

Pentagon Press Secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder,US Air Force,said the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG 12) were participating in Exercise Silent Wolverine in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean.The drills are in support of multi-domain carrier training,enhancing NATO interoperability and deterrence.Those participating are Canada,Denmark,Germany,France,the Netherlands,Spain and the US.The exercise demonstrates the US commitment to regional stability and security through seamless interchangeability among NATO Allies.It started on 7 November and runs through 14 November.It is the Ford's first deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Area of Operations.The Ford departed Naval Station Norfolk,Virginia on 4 October 2022.* The NATO warships participating,besides those of CSG 12,include German frigate FGS Hessen (F221);Canadian frigate HMCS Montreal (FFH 336);Spanish Armada frigate Alvaro de Bazan (F101);Netherlands frigate HNLMS De Zeven Provincien (F 802);French frigate FS Chevalier Paul (D 621);and Danish frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes (F 362).* According to Admiral Stuart B. Munsch,commander,U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (USNFEA) and Allied Joint Force Command Naples: The challenges of tomorrow are upon us-in the here and now.Silent Wolverine demonstrates our commitment to deepening interoperability with our Allies and Partners while testing the advanced,cutting edge warfighting capabilities of the Ford-class aircraft carrier in a highly relevant operational environment.* The Navy points out that the Ford-class incorporates 23 new technologies in propulsion,power generation,ordnance handling,and aircraft launch systems.The Ford-class generates increased aircraft launch and recovery capability with a 20% smaller crew than the Nimitz-class carriers.CSG 12's participation in Silent Wolverine previews the decisive,precise and lethal advantage the Ford brings to the future naval operations.The integrated high-end naval warfare scenarios,which were not disclosed, are testing the first-in-class aircraft carrier's capabilities,increasing our proficiencies and demonstrating the warfighting capabilities the Ford brings to the fight,according to Rear Admiral Greg Huffner,commander,CSG 12.* CSG 12 consists of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78);Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60);and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS McFaul (DDG 74) and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116);and typically an undisclosed nuclear-powered attack submarine.* The "Eastern Atlantic" refers to such areas as that between Greenland and Iceland;the Norwegian Sea;the Barents Sea and down towards the UK and Ireland;and from the Denmark coast west to Baffin Bay and the Labrador Sea.*