The USS Gerald R. Ford, recognized as the largest aircraft carrier in the world, is set to head home after completing a remarkable deployment lasting 300 days. During this time, the vessel was involved in efforts against Iran and played a role in capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, according to two unnamed U.S. officials.
Plans indicate that the Ford will leave the Middle East in the next few days, aiming to return to its base in Virginia by mid-May, as initially reported by The Washington Post.
With the recent arrival of the USS George H. W. Bush in the region, the U.S. now has three aircraft carriers stationed in the Middle East amidst a delicate ceasefire concerning the Iran conflict, a situation not seen since 2003. Additionally, the USS Abraham Lincoln has been present in the region since January, contributing to heightened tensions with Iran.
This month, the Ford broke records for the longest deployment by a U.S. aircraft carrier since the Vietnam War, having departed from Naval Station Norfolk last June. The duration at sea was 295 days, surpassing the previous record of 294 days established by the Lincoln during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
However, the lengthy deployment has not been without consequences; the ship has experienced fires and has required extensive repairs, prompting concerns regarding the well-being of service members who are away for long stretches and the wear on the ship itself.
During a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed inquiries regarding the Ford’s deployment, asserting that the Navy had discussed the balance between operational readiness and maintenance needs.
He mentioned the demand for additional assets in response to various operational requirements, referring specifically to U.S. Southern Command in Latin America and U.S. Central Command in the Middle East.
The Ford commenced its deployment in the Mediterranean before being redirected to the Caribbean in October, a response to a significant naval buildup in the area.
In its operational role, the carrier participated in actions against Maduro, and with growing tensions in the Middle East, further military activities are anticipated.
The ship played a key role in the initial phases of the Iran War, having navigated into the Red Sea via the Suez Canal in early March.
Nevertheless, a fire in one of its laundry facilities compelled the Ford to pivot back to the Mediterranean for emergency repairs, leaving many sailors without adequate sleeping quarters.
While Ford’s 295-day mission was impressive, it did not quite match the Cold War record held by the USS Midway, which was deployed for 332 days in 1972-73. More recently, the USS Nimitz’s crew was away for a total of 341 days in 2020-21, but this period included a lengthy quarantine to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
