- Amy and Frank Garcia embrace as they stand on the pier at Naval Station Norfolk saying goodbye to their son Francisco Garcia Jr., 20, as he leaves for his first deployment aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. This is the first time the Garcia family has experienced a loved one being deployed. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)
![Julissa DeCola holds her 6-month-old daughter Meilani as they see...]()
Julissa DeCola holds her 6-month-old daughter Meilani as they see off Petty Officer Third Class Ian DeCola as he deploys aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford from Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)![A lone sailor stands on the flight deck of the...]()
A lone sailor stands on the flight deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford as it prepares to deploy from Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)![Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, commander of Carrier Strike Group 12,...]()
Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, commander of Carrier Strike Group 12, speaks to members of the press during the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford from Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)![Odalys Garcia, 22, sits on the rocks at Iowa Point...]()
Odalys Garcia, 22, sits on the rocks at Iowa Point as the USS Gerald R. Ford travels by on the James River after deploying from Naval Station Norfolk in the early hours of Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Garcia’s husband, Aviation Boatswain's Mate Brandon Alvarez, is aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)![Savannah Young, 10, and Ryan Young, 8, sit with American...]()
Savannah Young, 10, and Ryan Young, 8, sit with American Flags waiting to see off their father Lieutenant Junior Grade Michael Young as he deploys with the USS Gerald R. Ford from Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)![From left: Malen Tomandao, Fred Vandevord, 3, Ana Ramirez, and...]()
From left: Malen Tomandao, Fred Vandevord, 3, Ana Ramirez, and Robert Santos, 14, wait in their rental car to see off Alen Vandevord as he deploys with the USS Gerald R. Ford from Naval Station Norfolk in the early hours of Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Fred is wearing a custom t-shirt honoring his father made by the family who traveled all the way from Los Angeles to see off their loved one. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)![Mia Hernandez lays her head on her mom’s, Natsumi, shoulder...]()
Mia Hernandez lays her head on her mom’s, Natsumi, shoulder as they wait for Anderson Castrillon, Natsumi’s fiancé, to deploy with the USS Gerald R. Ford from Naval Station Norfolk in the early hours of Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)![Sailors begin to find their positions to man the rails...]()
Sailors begin to find their positions to man the rails as the USS Gerald R. Ford prepares to deploy from Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)![Loved ones wave as the USS Gerald R. Ford deploys...]()
Loved ones wave as the USS Gerald R. Ford deploys from Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)![Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, commander of Carrier Strike Group 12,...]()
Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, commander of Carrier Strike Group 12, speaks to members of the press during the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford from Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)![Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, commander of Carrier Strike Group 12,...]()
Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, commander of Carrier Strike Group 12, speaks to members of the press during the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford from Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)![Twin girls Blaire, left, and Avelyn Ballinger wait to see...]()
Twin girls Blaire, left, and Avelyn Ballinger wait to see off their father Hospital Corpsman Second Class Edward Ballinger as he deploys with the USS Gerald R. Ford from Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)![Kim Obarima makes a heart with her hands for her...]()
Kim Obarima makes a heart with her hands for her husband, Aviation Boatswain's Mate First Class Ameyaw Obarima, as he deploys with the USS Gerald R. Ford from Naval Station Norfolk in the early hours of Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)![Top officials stand behind Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, commander of...]()
Top officials stand behind Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, commander of Carrier Strike Group 12, as he speaks to members of the press during the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford from Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)![Sailors work to drop the lines securing the USS Gerald...]()
Sailors work to drop the lines securing the USS Gerald R. Ford to the pier so the aircraft carrier can deploy from Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)![Loved ones wave as the USS Gerald R. Ford deploys...]()
Loved ones wave as the USS Gerald R. Ford deploys from Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)![Seen from Iowa Point, sailors man the rails as the...]()
Seen from Iowa Point, sailors man the rails as the USS Gerald R. Ford makes its way to the Chesapeake Bay after deploying from Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)
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Amy and Frank Garcia embrace as they stand on the pier at Naval Station Norfolk saying goodbye to their son Francisco Garcia Jr., 20, as he leaves for his first deployment aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. This is the first time the Garcia family has experienced a loved one being deployed. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)
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By Kendall Warner | [email protected] | Photographer
UPDATED:
Loved ones gathered as numerous sailors deployed with the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) aircraft carrier from Naval Station Norfolk in the early hours of Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
About 4,500 sailors with Carrier Strike Group 12 departed on the regularly-scheduled deployment to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility that is expected to last about seven months.
Originally Published:
