word has been floating around of something big and interesting appearing in the harbour this month. I suspected it might be the USS Gerald R. Ford – The US Navy’s newest carrier on her maiden deployment.

The ship had been exercising with nato partners, including HMCS Fredericton. Seawaves have listed a Port visit by a German frigate FGS Hessen, which was also exercising with the Carrier group in October, and also reported a 2022 visit by the Ford to Halifax, with no date.

NSBuzz is now reporting the ship is due on Friday.

4 AIS targets “Patrol Craft 1 (ca)”, “Patrol Craft 2 (ca)”, “Patrol Craft 3 (ca)”, and “Patrol Craft 4 (ca)” have been working in the Anchorage 1 area today. The CA designation likely identifies them as RCN to foreign naval vessels.

UPDATE: two C-2 Aircraft arrived in YHZ this afternoon from Virginia. the aircraft are carrier capable, and likely will be bringing dignitaries to the ship, based on activities before the Eisenhowers arrival.

UPDATE:
USS Gerald R Ford Pilot order is for 0800 tomorrow. Also Arriving are:
USS NORMANDY 10am
HNLMS DE ZEVEN PROVINCIEN 10:30
FGS HESSEN 11:00
USS RAMAGE 11:30
HNLMS VAN AMSTEL 12:00
HDMS PETER WILLEMOES 12:30
ALVARO DE BAZAN 13:00
Note all times are for the Pilot Station. they should appear in the inner harbour 30-45 minutes later.