The Gerald R. Ford Service Strike Group has entered the U.S. Southern Command space of accountability to help counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism operations within the Western Hemisphere, the U.S. Navy said.
Led by the plane provider USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the strike group’s arrival follows a presidential directive tasking U.S. forces with dismantling transnational felony organisations and disrupting narcotics trafficking networks that threaten regional safety.
“The improved U.S. power presence within the USSOUTHCOM space will bolster U.S. capability to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and actions that compromise the protection and prosperity of america homeland and our safety within the Western Hemisphere,” mentioned Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell. “These forces will improve and increase present capabilities to disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle Transnational Legal Organisations.”
With greater than 4,000 sailors and a number of squadrons embarked, the Gerald R. Ford offers the U.S. with elevated capability to mission energy by sustained operations at sea. The provider’s superior launch and restoration programs allow simultaneous day and evening flight operations in help of joint tasking.
The strike group will function alongside the Iwo Jima Amphibious Prepared Group and an embarked Marine Expeditionary Unit beneath a Joint Process Drive established to focus on felony networks throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.
“Via unwavering dedication and the exact use of our forces, we stand able to fight the transnational threats that search to destabilise our area,” mentioned Admiral Alvin Holsey, Commander of U.S. Southern Command. “The united statesGerald R. Ford Service Strike Group’s deployment represents a vital step in reinforcing our resolve to guard the safety of the Western Hemisphere and the protection of the American homeland.”
The group consists of Service Air Wing Eight and a number of other Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), USS Mahan (DDG 72), and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), bringing anti-air, anti-submarine, and anti-surface warfare capabilities. The Winston S. Churchill will function the strike group’s air and missile defence command ship.
The embarked air wing consists of 9 squadrons flying the F/A-18E and F Tremendous Hornet, E/A-18G Growler, E-2D Superior Hawkeye, MH-60S and MH-60R Seahawks, and C-2A Greyhound plane.