The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the largest aircraft carrier in the world, has set a new record for the longest deployment since the Vietnam War. Spending nearly 10 months at sea, it has participated in military operations, including activities in Venezuela and Operation Epic Fury.
According to a report by AP, the ship’s 295th day away from port surpassed the previous record for the longest deployment of an aircraft carrier in the last 50 years.
This prior record was held by the USS Abraham Lincoln, which completed a 294-day deployment in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic in China, as noted by data from the US Naval Institute News.
The USS Gerald R. Ford is powered by two nuclear reactors and carries around 4,500 personnel, including naval aviators and a diverse air wing consisting of more than 75 aircraft.
The Associated Press outlines several of the ship’s locations during its deployment.
The ship began its journey in June 2025, departing from its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, and heading to the Mediterranean. By October, the military had redirected its vessels to the Caribbean, marking a significant naval buildup in the region.
During this deployment, the aircraft carrier was involved in military operations aimed at capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, followed by increased military actions in the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran.
In early March, the carrier was part of the initial stages of the Iran War, entering the Red Sea after navigating through the Suez Canal.
However, as reported by Breitbart News, a fire broke out in one of the laundry areas, leading the ship to return to the Mediterranean for urgent repairs.
Both of the Navy’s top officers have indicated that the USS Gerald R. Ford may be deployed for around 11 months, suggesting that it might return home in late next month or June.
“We’re looking at a record-breaking deployment for the Ford,” said Adm. Darryl Caudle, the Navy’s top official, during a panel discussion at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in late March.
While the 295-day deployment is impressive, it still falls short of the Cold War record held by the retired USS Midway, which was deployed for 332 days between 1972 and 1973.
The carrier battle group includes various vessels such as the guided missile destroyers USS Bainbridge and USS Mahan, in addition to the missile defense command ship USS Winston S. Churchill.
