#                                                                         USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Halifax for First International Port Visit                                                                    

##### by U.S. Second Fleet Public Affairs

28 October 2022HALIFAX, Nova Scotia -- 
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia -The first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and embarked crew arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for the ship's first international port visit, Oct. 28, 2022.Ford deployed from Norfolk, Virginia, Oct. 4, on its first deployment and has been conducting multinational maritime exercises and operations in the Atlantic Ocean with NATO Allies Canada, Spain, Denmark, Netherlands, and Germany.

                ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 25, 2022) Aircraft attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 fly over the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) as the ship steams in formation in the Atlantic Ocean with the Spanish Armada frigate Alvaro de Bazan (F 101), Danish navy frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes (F362), Dutch navy frigate HNLMS De Zeven Provincien (F 802), the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61), German navy frigate FGS Hessen (F 221), Dutch navy frigate HNLMS Van Amstel (F 831), and the U.S. Navy Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), Oct. 25, 2022. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG) is deployed in the Atlantic Ocean, conducting training and operations alongside NATO Allies and partners to enhance integration for future operations and demonstrate the U.S. Navy's commitment to a peaceful, stable and conflict-free Atlantic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Adkins)                            221025-N-TL968-2093                            ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 25, 2022) Aircraft attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 fly over the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) as the ship steams in formation in the Atlantic Ocean with the Spanish Armada frigate Alvaro de Bazan (F 101), Danish navy frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes (F362), Dutch navy frigate HNLMS De Zeven Provincien (F 802), the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61), German navy frigate FGS Hessen (F 221), Dutch navy frigate HNLMS Van Amstel (F 831), and the U.S. Navy Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), Oct. 25, 2022. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG) is deployed in the Atlantic Ocean, conducting training and operations alongside NATO Allies and partners to enhance integration for future operations and demonstrate the U.S. Navy's commitment to a peaceful, stable and conflict-free Atlantic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Adkins)            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Petty Officer 2nd Class Jackson AdkinsVIRIN: 221025-N-TL968-2093

“We have been operating alongside our Allies and partners on the high seas, training our interoperability and interchangeability,” said Capt. Paul Lanzilotta, commanding officer of the USS Gerald R. Ford. “Visiting Halifax gives us a chance to build even stronger relationships with our teammates, strengthening our partnership, and allows our Sailors to explore the rich culture and welcoming people of Canada.”

This port visit marks the first aircraft carrier to visit Halifax in five years, and signifies a deeper connection between Ford and Halifax, as Norfolk’s sister city. The visit allowed many of Ford’s junior Sailors not only their first international port experience, but also their first exposure to Canadian culture.

“I’m really excited that this city is my first international visit since I have been serving in the Navy,” said Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Ky Keys, from Tahlequah, Oklahoma, assigned to Ford’s combat systems department. “I’m really looking forward to visiting the Citadel for its history and, if possible, also meeting my foreign Naval counterparts.”

                ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 25, 2022) - The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61), foreground, steams in formation with the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group and other coalition warships during a formation transit, Oct. 25, 2022. The first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is on its inaugural deployment conducting training and operations alongside NATO Allies and partners to enhance integration for future operations and demonstrate the U.S. Navy’s commitment to a peaceful, stable and conflict free Atlantic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sawyer Connally)                            221025-N-NQ285-1637                            ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 25, 2022) - The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61), foreground, steams in formation with the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group and other coalition warships during a formation transit, Oct. 25, 2022. The first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is on its inaugural deployment conducting training and operations alongside NATO Allies and partners to enhance integration for future operations and demonstrate the U.S. Navy’s commitment to a peaceful, stable and conflict free Atlantic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sawyer Connally)            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Petty Officer 2nd Class Sawyer ConnallyVIRIN: 221025-N-NQ285-1637

This visit will build relations between the U.S. and Canada through a multitude of scheduled events and tours within the Halifax community. While also in port, a reception is scheduled to host Halifax community leaders, Royal Canadian Navy Sailors and foreign dignitaries aboard Ford, strengthening the relationships between U.S. Allies and partners.

Ford’s Command Religious Ministries Department is presenting various opportunities for Sailors to volunteer at local Halifax organizations such as a thrift store, food bank and Habitat for Humanity, while members of Ford’s Second Class Petty Officer Association are scheduled to volunteer at a local animal shelter.

“Community relations projects offer Sailors an opportunity to serve as good ambassadors in the communities in which they work and live, while advancing the pride, personal values, self-worth and morale of all involved,” said Cmdr. Genevieve Clark, Ford’s command chaplain. “Overseas community relations projects perform the essential task of promoting international friendship and trust, and in turn, play a vital role in enabling the Navy to carry out its mission of partner building and strengthening ties with maritime Allies.”

                ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 25, 2022) — A view from the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) as the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), left, the Dutch navy ship Van Amstel (F 831), and the German Sachsen-class frigate FGS Hessen (F 221) steam in formation as part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, Oct. 25, 2022. The first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is on its inaugural deployment conducting training and operations alongside NATO Allies and partners to enhance integration for future operations and demonstrate the U.S. Navy’s commitment to a peaceful, stable and conflict-free Atlantic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Malachi Lakey)                            221025-N-LK647-1220                            ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 25, 2022) — A view from the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) as the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), left, the Dutch navy ship Van Amstel (F 831), and the German Sachsen-class frigate FGS Hessen (F 221) steam in formation as part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, Oct. 25, 2022. The first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is on its inaugural deployment conducting training and operations alongside NATO Allies and partners to enhance integration for future operations and demonstrate the U.S. Navy’s commitment to a peaceful, stable and conflict-free Atlantic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Malachi Lakey)            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Petty Officer 2nd Class Malachi LakeyVIRIN: 221025-N-LK647-1220

After this port visit, the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group will continue its deployment in the Atlantic Ocean, conducting training and operations alongside NATO Allies and partners to enhance integration for future operations and demonstrate the U.S. Navy’s commitment to a peaceful, stable and conflict-free Atlantic region.

For more information about the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), visit https://www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvn78/ and follow along on Facebook: @USSGeraldRFord, Instagram: @cvn78_grford, Twitter: @Warship_78 and DVIDS: www.dvids.net/CVN78https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/cvn78

Tags:
**USS Gerald Ford**Halifax**CVN 78**NATO**nova scotia**Canada**port visit**Second Fleet

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**AIRLANT**C2F**CVN78**Navy Headlines