USS Gerald R. Ford Fighter Squadrons Return After 11-Month Deployment

Six squadrons from Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8) returned this week to their home bases in Virginia after an 11-month deployment aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78). Naval Air Force Atlantic reported that Strike Fighter Squadrons VFA-213 "Black Lions," VFA-37 "Ragin’ Bulls," VFA-87 "Golden Warriors," and VFA-31 "Tomcatters" landed at Naval Air Station Oceana on May 11.

Airborne Command and Control Squadron VAW-124 "Bear Aces" and Fleet Logistics Support Squadron VRC-40 "Rawhides" returned to Naval Station Norfolk. The squadrons had been assigned to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier since it departed for the deployment.

As of May 13, the USS Gerald R. Ford has spent 323 days at sea. That marks the longest deployment of any U.S. aircraft carrier since the Vietnam War and the longest for a nuclear-powered supercarrier. The carrier is expected to arrive at Naval Station Norfolk later this month.

Operations Across Multiple Regions The Gerald R.

Ford Carrier Strike Group operated in the U.S. 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility during the deployment. The air wing supported Operation Epic Fury in the Middle East this winter and spring. It also conducted operations in the High North with NATO partners last fall, in the Mediterranean Sea, and in the Caribbean as part of Operation Southern Spear to counter illicit narcotics trafficking from Latin America.

The squadrons logged more than 5,500 flight hours and conducted more than 11,800 launches and recoveries. In February, while the carrier was in the Caribbean Sea, CVW-8 performed a formation flight over the ship during an aerial change of command ceremony.

This week's fly-off allowed the aircraft to return directly to their home stations. The maneuver was necessary because fixed-wing aircraft cannot easily take off or land from a stationary carrier pier-side. Removing the aircraft also clears space on the hangar deck so the crew can load tools, equipment and personal belongings for transfer ashore once the ship reaches port.

CVW-8 has been assigned to the USS Gerald R. Ford since 2022. The air wing previously operated from the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77). Its lineage dates to Carrier Air Group 8, which served aboard the USS Intrepid during World War II and received a Presidential Unit Citation for actions in the Pacific Theater.

The four strike fighter squadrons of CVW-8 currently operate the F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet. Additional units include Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-142 flying the EA-18G Growler, VAW-124 with the E-2D Hawkeye, VRC-40 with the C-2A Greyhound, HSC-9 with the MH-60S Seahawk and HSM-70 with the MH-60R Seahawk.

The remainder of CVW-8 is expected to return with the carrier.