1st Deployment Of USS Gerald R. Ford | Clayton International To Provide Maintenance For Egypt’s VH-3A | Bangladesh Received 2nd C295W

Americas

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) departed Naval Station Norfolk October 5 for its first deployment. Accompanying the first-in-class aircraft carrier are fighter squadrons VFA-213, VFA-31, VFA-37, and VFA-87. USS Normandy (CG 60), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS McFaul (DDG 74), USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USNS Joshua Humphreys (T-AO 188), USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5), and USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) are the rest of the ships that will form the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG).

The last F-16 that was assigned to the 115th Fighter Wing has departed Truax Field and the wing will now transition to the F-35. The sendoff ceremony for the aircraft also marks 30 years of F-16 service at the 115th Fighter Wing.

Middle East & Africa

Clayton International won a $7 million deal to provide depot level maintenance services for one VH-3A Helicopter for the Government of Egypt. Work will take place in Georgia. Estimated completion will be in June 2024.

Europe

According to Defense News, Britain and Poland are investigating possible cooperation in the development of a surface-launched, long-range missile in the latest step towards strengthening their ties in the defense sector. The two nations announced their intention to take a look at forming a partnership at the end of a visit October 5 to Poland by British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace for talks with his Polish counterpart, Mariusz B?aszczak.

Ukraine said Thursday it had recaptured over 400 square kilometres (155 square miles) in Kherson in less than a week, after Moscow claimed to have annexed the southern region. “The Armed Forces of Ukraine have liberated more than 400 square kilometres of the Kherson region since the beginning of October,” Ukrainian southern army command spokeswoman Natalia Gumeniuk said in a briefing online. The Russian army meanwhile said “the enemy had been pushed back along the Russian defence line” on this southern front.

Asia-Pacific

The Bangladesh Army Aviation Group has received its second C295W tactical military transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space. The new medium utility military aircraft officially joined the Bangladeshi Fleet on September 25 after a six-day journey from the company’s factory in Spain.

Today’s Video

WATCH: After numerous delays, Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford leaves on 1st deployment