The crew of over 4,500 sailors completed a 300+ day, record-setting deployment, supporting operations across the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Atlantic regions.
Homecomings commenced yesterday as squadrons from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 returned to their respective bases.
The flagship and the ships of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2 will arrive in the coming days to officially conclude their deployment, according to the navy.
The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group departed on deployment from Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia on June 24, 2025.
In November 2025, the vessel entered the US Southern Command area of responsibility (USSOUTHCOM AOR), conducting missions in the Caribbean waters. The aircraft carrier was then redeployed to the Middle East to join the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group already operating in the region.
