The U.S. Navy, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) was awarded the prestigious Battenberg Cup, marking the ship as the best all-around vessel in the Atlantic Fleet for 2024. This award was a significant achievement for the carrier, highlighting its exemplary performance and the remarkable accomplishments of its crew during its 2023 deployment.
Admiral Daryl Caudle, Commander of the U.S. Fleet Forces Command, presented the award to the Gerald R. Ford crew, praising the ship’s outstanding record and contributions to naval operations. “Ford’s unmatched successes in 2023 have more than validated its namesake of ‘Integrity at the Helm,’” said Caudle. “Ford’s exceptional achievements as a frontline combat ship in the Atlantic Fleet are a direct tribute to the steadfast leadership, dedication, and consistently high performance of the Wardroom, the Chief Petty Officers, and the entire crew.”
The Battenberg Cup, a highly sought-after award, is presented annually to the ship or submarine within the Atlantic Fleet that best exemplifies the spirit and performance expected by the Navy. The cup is not simply awarded based on operational performance but also considers the crew’s teamwork, readiness, and their ability to embody the highest traditions of the U.S. Navy.
A Year of Unprecedented Achievements
The USS Gerald R. Ford emerged as a pivotal asset in 2023, executing a full-scale deployment that tested and ultimately proved its groundbreaking technologies. Built in 2017 as the lead ship of the Ford-class carriers, it had long faced scrutiny due to technical challenges and cost overruns. However, its 2023 deployment showed the ship’s full capabilities, solidifying its status as the most advanced and lethal combat platform in the world.
Capt. Rick Burgess, commanding officer of the USS Gerald R. Ford, spoke with pride about the award and his crew’s accomplishments: “I could not be more proud of this crew. The sailors on this ship are extraordinary and incredibly smart. They make this ship what it is, and I look forward to what they will do in the future.”
One of the major factors contributing to the award was the ship’s successful performance as the lead vessel of the Carrier Strike Group during an extended deployment that took the carrier through the European and Mediterranean theatres. The Gerald R. Ford provided an impressive display of American naval power, facilitating joint operations with multiple allied navies and participating in high-level multinational exercises.
In his remarks, Adm. Caudle highlighted how the ship excelled in meeting the operational demands of the U.S. Fifth and Sixth Fleets, further underscoring the carrier’s ability to seamlessly integrate with Allied and Coalition naval forces. This deployment demonstrated the ship’s crucial role in ensuring the security and stability of key regions and underscored the United States’ ongoing commitment to global maritime dominance.
Technological Innovations and Operational Success
The USS Gerald R. Ford represents a monumental shift in naval warfare with its array of cutting-edge technologies. As the first of its class, it boasts an array of features that make it distinct from its predecessors. These include the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG), and Advanced Weapons Elevators (AWE), all of which contribute to a more efficient and capable flight deck. Additionally, with a smaller crew complement compared to the Nimitz-class carriers, the Ford’s design focuses on maximizing automation and technological innovation.
The 2023 deployment of the carrier saw these innovations in action, as the Gerald R. Ford managed to execute its missions with efficiency while setting new benchmarks for carrier operations. The Navy emphasized the ship’s ability to maintain combat readiness with 20% fewer personnel than older carriers, thus improving cost efficiency and operational capacity.
One key aspect of the ship’s technological advantage is the EMALS, which uses electromagnetic energy to launch aircraft more efficiently than traditional steam catapults. This system allows for quicker launches, reduced maintenance, and the ability to handle heavier and more modern aircraft. The Advanced Arresting Gear system also improves safety and recovery capabilities, further enhancing the ship’s operational readiness.
These advancements, paired with the ship’s operational successes, helped dispel the doubts surrounding the carrier’s effectiveness following earlier technical setbacks. While it took six years for the ship to complete its first full deployment after being commissioned, its performance throughout 2023 has established it as a formidable asset in the U.S. Navy’s fleet.
After its brief operational deployment in 2022 during Exercise Silent Wolverine—a NATO exercise in the eastern Atlantic—the USS Gerald R. Ford embarked on its first full-length deployment in May 2023. The ship was initially tasked with operations in European waters, where it participated in joint exercises and made port visits to key NATO allies, including Croatia, Greece, Italy, Norway, and Turkey.
However, the carrier’s deployment took on even greater significance in October 2023 when hostilities erupted between Israel and Hamas. In response to escalating tensions, the U.S. Navy redirected the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean, where it played a key role in deterring further regional escalation. At the time, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the movement of the carrier group to ensure a U.S. presence capable of responding to any threat.
CENTCOM’s official statement read: “The United States has begun moving USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean. This includes the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), as well as the Arleigh-Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Carney (DDG 64), and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80).”
With tensions running high in the region, the carrier strike group remained in the Mediterranean for an additional 76 days beyond its scheduled deployment, ensuring stability and preventing any escalation of hostilities in the volatile region. The presence of the Gerald R. Ford in such a sensitive area demonstrated the carrier’s ability to provide effective deterrence and project power on a global scale.
On January 17, 2024, after an eight-month deployment, the USS Gerald R. Ford returned to its homeport at Naval Station Norfolk. The deployment had been extended significantly due to its vital role in the Eastern Mediterranean, and it returned to an enthusiastic reception. Speaking on the completion of the mission, Capt. Rick Burgess stated: “Though extended, we were the right ship at the right time to answer the call, and our sailors performed admirably.”
The Ford’s crew had much to celebrate, as the ship’s extended deployment was a resounding success. In an official report, the Navy detailed the carrier’s extraordinary operational accomplishments, which included 239 days at sea, 43 underway replenishments, more than 17,826 flight hours, and 10,396 sorties. The ship sailed over 83,476 nautical miles and successfully transferred 20.7 million gallons of fuel, all without a single mishap.
The carrier’s flight deck also saw intense activity, with 33,444 flight deck moves, 3,124 hangar bay aircraft moves, and 2,883 aircraft elevator moves. The ship’s crew conducted 16,351 aircraft fueling operations and transferred 8,850 pallets of cargo and mail throughout the deployment. While the Gerald R. Ford did not engage directly in combat, the presence of the carrier strike group served as a crucial deterrent in a highly unstable region, reinforcing its role as a key component of U.S. naval strategy.
Overcoming Early Challenges
The USS Gerald R. Ford’s journey to becoming the Atlantic Fleet’s best ship was not without its difficulties. After being commissioned in 2017, the ship experienced multiple delays and technical issues, particularly with its advanced systems like the electromagnetic catapults and arresting gear. These challenges resulted in significant cost overruns, with the ship’s final price tag exceeding $13.3 billion, nearly $3 billion over the original budget.
Despite these setbacks, the carrier’s successful 2023 deployment has largely silenced critics, proving that the Navy’s investment in cutting-edge technologies can yield results. The ship’s contributions during multinational exercises, its role in NATO operations, and its deterrence missions in the Eastern Mediterranean have cemented the Gerald R. Ford as a crucial element of U.S. naval power.
As the first of its class, the Ford is expected to be joined by additional Ford-class carriers in the coming years, further enhancing the Navy’s ability to project power and maintain maritime superiority.
The USS Gerald R. Ford’s Battenberg Cup win serves as a powerful testament to the ship’s resilience and capability. As the U.S. Navy looks to the future, the Gerald R. Ford and the next generation of Ford-class carriers are poised to continue playing a pivotal role in maintaining American maritime dominance and ensuring security across the globe. This accolade reflects not only the ship’s advanced technological capabilities but also the dedication and professionalism of the sailors who make it a potent force in the Atlantic Fleet.
