NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk-based USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group was en route to Europe by mid-morning Tuesday after departing from Naval Station Norfolk for a regularly-scheduled deployment.
The strike group will will deploy near the Middle East, per AP reports.
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As sailors manned the rails and prepared to deploy, loved ones told News 3 they’re proud but nervous, given the ongoing conflict in the region.
“It’s bittersweet. You want to see them go, you don’t want to see them go," said Bob McHerrin.
McHerrin and his wife were both proud and nervous as they waited to watch their son leave on the USS Gerald R. Ford.
“Our faith, that is what’s getting us through it. We just have to keep praying, but it is very stressful," said Yvonne McHerrin.
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Their son’s fiancé, Kiara Copeland, was also at the pier. She's also leaning on faith during the deployment.
“Given the things that have been going on the past few days here, it makes me a little nervous, but it’s not too bad," said Copeland. "I’m just going to pray about it and give it all to God. It’ll be okay.”
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On the pier Tuesday morning prior to the ship leaving, Strike Group Commander RADM Paul Lanzilotta talked about preparing for deployment, the strike group’s capabilities, the sailors, and the impact of the fighting in the Middle East.
“Our mission is always the same. We operate on the high seas, we bring power projection, we defend ourselves when needed, We’re ready to do humanitarian assistance if we need to. I don;’t think it’s changed much with what’s unfolding," said Lanzilotta. "This is the exact naval mission package that you want to go over the horizon and support the national command authority, the joint force. Plug right in and be integrated with the joint force and be ready to conduct our missions.
FULL PRESS CONFERENCE: Navy officials speak on USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group's deployment
The Ford Carrier Strike Group will join the Norfolk-based USS Truxtun and the USS Forrest Sherman, which are already in the region. Two west coast carrier strike groups, the USS Carl Vinson and the USS Nimitz, are also sin the region.
The deployment comes less than a month after the Norfolk-based USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group returned from deployment, spending multiple months in the Middle East.
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“Over the last two weeks since the Truman got back, I have had multiple meetings with the air wing commander of CAG One and we went over everything. Every little detail. What our adversaries are doing, how we counter that, and also just the grand picture of resiliency, quality of life for sailors," said Capt. David Dartez, commander of the air wing deploying with the Ford Carrier Strike Group.
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine said the U.S. already has about 40,000 troops in the region. The Ford Carrier Strike Group will bring an additional 4,500 sailors.
While the Ford will head to the Navy’s European command area first, where it may go after that had not been announced as of Tuesday.
