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The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, has returned home to its port of call, Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, after a grueling 326-day deployment. The strike group, consisting of over 4,500 Sailors, completed 11 months of intense operations across the globe, marking one of the longest national tasking deployments by a US aircraft carrier.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, along with its escorting destroyers – the USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81), USS Mitscher (DDG-57), USS Mahan (DDG-72), USS Bainbridge (DDG-96), and USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98) – departed Naval Station Norfolk on June 24, 2025, commencing their deployment. Their journey would take them through various regions, including Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
A key highlight of the deployment was the participation in the NATO exercise, Neptune Strike, in September alongside 32 other nations, showcasing the carrier’s capabilities in a multilateral setting. Shortly after, the USS Gerald R. Ford was rushed to the Mediterranean to operate alongside allies, before being deployed to the Caribbean Sea to enforce a US blockade on Venezuela. The blockade aimed to capture and seize sanctioned tankers attempting to transport stolen American oil.
Notably, the USS Gerald R. Ford played a pivotal role in the Raid and Capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026. Operating its own air wings in support of the operation, as well as serving as a staging and launching platform for US Special Operations, the carrier’s contribution was instrumental in capturing the president.
Moreover, the USS Gerald R. Ford stayed in the region after the capture, enforcing the US blockade on Venezuela and operating as a staging base and launch platform for boarding parties. In total, 9 vessels were seized by the United States in this blockade, with 5 accredited to the Ford and its crew.
The carrier’s crew also participated in Operation Epic Fury, a buildup of forces in the CENTCOM region, and took part in the opening round of strikes on Tehran, Iran, which ultimately led to the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
However, the USS Gerald R. Ford’s journey was not without its challenges. On March 12, the carrier suffered a laundry room fire while transiting the Red Sea towards the Indian Ocean, forcing it to divert back to Souda Bay, Greece, for repairs. After a 5-day repair stop, the USS Gerald R. Ford continued its journey, transiting the Suez Canal again and loitering in the Red Sea for approximately 2 weeks before being relieved of its duty by the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).
The USS Gerald R. Ford finally began its journey back home on April 30, 2026. After making a fourth Suez Canal transit, sixth Gibraltar Strait Crossing, and fourth Atlantic crossing, the carrier finally returned home to Naval Station Norfolk on May 16, 2026, marking the end of its record-breaking 326-day deployment.
The USS Gerald R. Ford’s deployment has been marked by numerous significant events and milestones, cementing its position as a critical component of the US Navy’s operational capabilities. As the carrier and its crew return home, they look forward to a well-deserved rest and a chance to recharge before their next deployment.