World’s most powerful warship ‘opens fire’ in Europe

The United States Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest and most powerful aircraft carrier, has conducted weapons qualifications while on deployment with its strike group in waters near Europe.

According to the U.S. Navy, Gunner’s Mate 1st Class William Sluyter oversaw Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Joshua Underhill as he fired an M2 .50 calibre machine gun from the carrier’s deck during a live-fire exercise on 16 August, pictured above. The ship is deployed as the flagship of Carrier Strike Group Twelve.

The exercise is part of the ship’s scheduled operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility, which covers Europe and Africa. The U.S. Navy says the aim is to “support the warfighting effectiveness, lethality, and readiness of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and defend U.S., Allied, and partner interests in the region.”

On 15 August, flight operations were also underway when Lieutenant Tom Sandford of the Air Department signalled the launch of an F/A-18E Super Hornet belonging to Strike Fighter Squadron 87 from the ship’s flight deck.

That launch came shortly before the strike group’s high-profile passage through the Strait of Dover into the North Sea on 17 August. It was the first time a U.S. carrier strike group had transited the Channel since the Harry S. Truman group in October 2024.

Captain Dave Skarosi, Gerald R. Ford’s commanding officer, described the move as a demonstration of U.S. naval reach. “Gerald R. Ford’s agile transit through the Strait of Dover between England and France is a testament to our power projection capability that supports peace through strength,” he said. “Our skilled navigation team ensures that the world’s largest aircraft carrier brings our capability as a forward-positioned force anytime, anyplace, to defend the Euro-Atlantic region from hostile action.”

A U.S. Navy statement said the deployment highlights both deterrence and alliance obligations. “The inherent flexibility and scalable maritime force that GRFCSG provides to the NATO Alliance is unrivaled, and their continued operations in the U.S. European Command area of operation reinforces the U.S. Navy’s ironclad commitment to the stability and security of the European theater,” the release noted.

Captain Mark Lawrence, commodore of Destroyer Squadron Two, underscored the wider message. “A free and open maritime domain benefits all nations. Our collective surface force’s transit into the North Sea demonstrates our resolve to strengthen peace, stability, and deterrence across the European continent.”

USS Gerald R. Ford is the lead ship of its class and the first new U.S. aircraft carrier design in more than 40 years. At over 100,000 tonnes displacement, it is the largest warship in the world and carries a full air wing, including F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, and advanced surveillance and support aircraft.

Its latest drills underline the day-to-day readiness demands of keeping such a force deployed, not only for show but for immediate combat effectiveness if required. The presence of the carrier and its escorts in European waters highlights Washington’s emphasis on maintaining a visible and capable naval posture in the Euro-Atlantic region.