The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG) has left Naval Station Norfolk for its first global deployment.
The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the first-in-class carrier, sailed down the James River into the Atlantic.
The deployment will operationalize a new series of technologies aboard the carrier.
The Navy has not specified the exact operating areas of the Ford CSG during its current deployment.
The deployment comes almost six years after the carrier’s commissioning.
The Ford CSG finished its composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) last month, which prepared the carrier, its escorts, and air wing for the deployment.
The carrier will continue the consistent carrier presence in the Mediterranean Sea, which the U.S. began in December 2021.
The deployment aims to provide reassurance to allies and partners that sea lanes will remain open.