USS Ford Coming Home Next Week, USS Lincoln Readying for Final Departure

It’s a busy time at Naval Station Everett as they get ready to welcome the USS Ford home after a six month deployment in the Western Pacific. Ford departed Everett in May, 2011. During deployment, the ship participated in the multi-national Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise. CARAT training scenarios include coastal patrol, mine countermeasures, amphibious assault, and maritime patrol and interdiction, and are primarily conducted to enhance regional cooperation and promote understanding between participating military forces.

Ford Sailors visited Guam, Malaysia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, India, and Sri Lanka.

“I was pleased that the crew had an opportunity to be hosted in India,” said Cmdr. Donald Foss, commanding officer of Ford. “The interaction with the Indian people, culture, and Indian Navy has been more than rewarding. I sincerely hope I and the crew of USS Ford are provided this opportunity again someday in the future.”

Ford is assigned to Destroyer Squadron 9 and is equipped to provide defense in-depth against air, surface and sub-surface threats for military and merchant shipping.

In the meantime, sailors and their families from the USS Abraham Lincoln have been attending pre-deployment parties and saying their goodbyes. The Lincoln is set to leave Naval Station Everett for the final time later this month. The exact date has not yet been announced. Once the Lincoln leaves, Naval Station Everett will be without an aircraft carrier until the Nimitz comes over from Bremerton. That’s expected to happen sometime early next year.

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