'I'd wait forever, but 334 days is crazy.' USS Ford finally comes home
The USS Gerald R. Ford has returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a nearly year-long deployment at sea. The deployment included operations from the coast of Venezuela to the Red Sea, supporting U.S. military efforts. Families gathered to welcome the sailors home, emphasizing the challenges of reintegration after such a lengthy absence.
- ▪The USS Ford's deployment lasted 334 days, breaking the post-Vietnam record for a carrier deployment.
- ▪Families of the sailors expressed relief and joy at their return, with many emphasizing the need for reintegration into daily life.
- ▪The Navy is working to reduce deployment lengths and provide sailors with ample time off after such extended missions.
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National 'I'd wait forever, but 334 days is crazy.' USS Ford finally comes home May 23, 20265:00 AM ET By Steve Walsh After nearly a year at sea, the USS Ford finally comes home Listen · 4:11 4:11 Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5830101/nx-s1-9780573" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript Juan Caceres kisses Heidi Eckstein after disembarking from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford at Naval Station Norfolk on May 16 in Norfolk, Va. Mike Kropf/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Mike Kropf/Getty Images Sailors in their dress whites lined the deck of the aircraft carrier as it pulled into Norfolk, Va., last weekend.
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