The world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, will leave the Middle East in the coming days and return to the US after a record-breaking deployment lasting over 300 days. This was reported by AP, according to UNN.
Details
The ship exceeded the previous record for the duration of service for American aircraft carriers in recent decades. Its time at sea has become the longest since the Vietnam War.
The USS Ford is expected to arrive at its home port in Virginia in mid-May.
Operations and Combat Missions
During the deployment, the aircraft carrier participated in military operations in several directions. In particular, it operated in the Mediterranean Sea, the Caribbean region, and the Middle East.
The largest US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford left Croatia after repairs03.04.26, 15:46
Among the missions were participation in the war against Iran and an operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
At the peak moment, three American aircraft carriers were in the region simultaneously, marking the largest grouping since 2003.
Workload and Problems
The prolonged deployment raised questions regarding the workload on the crew and equipment. During the mission, a fire broke out on board, forcing the ship to temporarily return to the Mediterranean for repairs.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that the extension of the mission was due to operational needs amid escalation in various regions.
According to him, this decision was the result of a complex balance between combat readiness and technical maintenance.
Fire breaks out on the largest US aircraft carrier in the Middle East12.03.26, 19:17