USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier returns home after 326-day deployment
The USS Gerald R. Ford returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, on May 16, 2026, after a 326-day deployment, the longest for a U.S. carrier strike group since the Vietnam War. During its mission, the carrier conducted operations in the Caribbean and the Middle East, including strikes on drug-smuggling vessels and combat operations against Iran. The deployment was marked by technical issues, including a laundry room fire and problems with the ship's toilet system.
- ▪The USS Gerald R. Ford completed a 326-day deployment, the longest for a U.S. carrier strike group since the Vietnam War.
- ▪The carrier conducted operations in the Caribbean, including interdicting sanctioned tankers and participating in the seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
- ▪It was deployed to the Middle East for combat operations against Iran.
- ▪A fire in a laundry room on March 12 injured two sailors and damaged about 100 beds.
- ▪The ship experienced significant issues with its toilet system while at sea.
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The USS Gerald R. Ford pulls up to Pier 11 at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia, on Saturday, May 16, 2026, following an 11-month deployment. KENDALL WARNER / KENDALL WARNER/THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT VIA AP The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, dispatched to the Middle East ahead of the outbreak of war with Iran, returned home to the United States on Saturday, May 16, after a 326-day deployment, the Pentagon said. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was on hand in Norfolk, Virginia, to welcome home the largest aircraft carrier in the world, the US military said on X. It was the longest deployment for a US carrier strike group since the Vietnam War. Sailors walk off of Pier 11 to find their loved ones after disembarking from the USS Gerald R.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Le Monde (EN).
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