In his first visit to a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier since being appointed as First Sea Lord, the professional head of the Royal Navy, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins toured the world’s largest warship as it sailed in the North Sea following a high profile visit to Oslo. The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is leading Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG-12) on a deployment to the U.S. Sixth Fleet, having departed Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia on June 24, 2025.
Jenkins, who is the first ever First Sea Lord to be promoted from the ranks of the Royal Marines, met with Rear Admiral Paul Lanzilotta, commander of CSG-12, and commanding officer of USS Gerald R. Ford Captain David Skarosi while on board the ship. He also spoke to members of the ships’ crew and personnel from the embarked Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8). The arguable highlight of the visit saw the British General ‘suit-up’ with Strike Fighter Squadron 213 (VFA-213) ‘The Blacklions’ and take to the rear seat of one of the squadron’s F/A-18F Super Hornet strike fighters for a flight sortie, including catapult launch and an arrested recovery. See Reddit Gallery.