USS Gerald R. Ford Returns After Record 326-Day Deployment

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, on Saturday after a record 326-day deployment. The deployment is the longest for a U.S. aircraft carrier since the Vietnam War. The carrier and two accompanying destroyers docked with about 5,000 sailors reuniting with families for the first time since June.

The carrier departed Virginia in June and initially operated in the Mediterranean Sea. It was rerouted to the Caribbean Sea in October as part of a large naval buildup in the region. The Ford took part in the military operation in January that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro, then Venezuela's president.

It later moved through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea in early March and participated in the opening days of the war with Iran.

Hegseth attended the arrival and awarded the Presidential Unit Citation to the Ford and accompanying ships. The citation recognizes outstanding performance in action against a determined enemy. Hegseth spoke to crews of the USS Bainbridge, USS Mahan, and the Ford. He told sailors on the Bainbridge deck that they had made history and made a nation proud.

Challenges During Deployment Crew members dealt with a noncombat-related fire that began in a laundry space. The incident left hundreds without sleeping quarters and required repairs on the Greek island of Crete. The long deployment has prompted questions about effects on service members and equipment strain.

The Ford's time at sea exceeds all carrier deployments in the past 50 years except two from the 1960s and 1970s.