The US Sixth Fleet announced on Monday that the USS Gerald R. Ford, recognized as the world’s largest aircraft carrier, will return to its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, after an extended eight-month deployment in the Mediterranean Sea. Initially dispatched following Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, the carrier played a pivotal role in bolstering the US regional deterrence and defense posture.
Commissioned in 2017, the USS Gerald R. Ford is celebrated by Navy officials as the “most adaptable and lethal combat platform globally,” representing the Navy’s newest carrier class introduction in over four decades. During its deployment, the 100,000-ton warship, equipped with a fleet of F/A-18 Super Hornet jet fighters, operated off Israel’s coast, responding to heightened tensions resulting from Hamas-led attacks that claimed over 1,200 lives.
As the USS Gerald R. Ford prepares for its return journey, the USS Eisenhower remains the sole US aircraft carrier stationed in the region. This strategic positioning comes amid escalating tensions attributable to Houthi assaults on commercial vessels navigating the Red Sea, culminating in recent confrontations with US forces.
Highlighting ongoing maritime security initiatives, the Sixth Fleet underscored the collaborative efforts under Operation Prosperity Guardian, aiming to fortify regional stability. The fleet emphasized the sustained US naval presence across the Middle East, encompassing guided-missile destroyers and amphibious assault ships equipped to address evolving security challenges in the region.
