The USS Gerald R. Ford, the United States Navy’s newest and most technologically advanced aircraft carrier, has concluded its extended deployment in the Eastern Mediterranean and returns to its homeport.
This deployment, which lasted for approximately eight months, came at a pivotal moment when tensions in the Middle East reached a crescendo following Hamas’ attacks against Israel on October 7.
In a strategic show of force and commitment to Israel’s defense, the Ford was positioned within striking distance of the embattled nation just a day after the conflict with Hamas escalated.
This deployment served a dual purpose: to underscore the U.S. dedication to its allies and to contribute to wider efforts aimed at deterring further regional instability.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made a significant visit to the Ford during its deployment, signaling the importance of the carrier strike group’s mission and its role in deterring aggression.
Alongside the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, another U.S. carrier, the Ford’s presence marked a two-carrier operation in the region, enveloping the conflict with a potent maritime force that sent a clear message to potential aggressors about the seriousness of the U.S. commitment.
Despite its primary mission to aid Israel, the Ford and its accompanying vessels, including three guided-missile destroyers and one guided-missile cruiser, also engaged in defensive operations in the Red Sea.
The carrier strike group’s proficiency was demonstrated when accompanying warships sailing into the Red Sea successfully intercepted incoming ballistic missiles and attack drones launched from Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen.
The strategic importance of the Red Sea, and particularly the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, has been magnified due to repeated attacks on commercial shipping by Iranian-backed Houthi forces.
One notable incident involved helicopters from the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group responding to a distress call from the container ship Maersk Hangzhou, which was under attack.
The incident, resulting in the sinking of three Houthi boats by U.S. forces, highlighted the volatility of the region and the crucial role of U.S. maritime power in safeguarding critical international shipping lanes.
The U.S. 6th Fleet has stated that the departure of the Ford will not leave a vacuum in the region. The Ford’s absence will be filled by the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan and its warships, the USS Mesa Verde and the USS Carter Hall.
These vessels will carry on the task of securing the Eastern Mediterranean alongside approximately 2,000 Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, capable of supporting a broad spectrum of missions. The Bataan, equipped to support rotary aircraft and Marine Corps F-35 vertical takeoff fighter jets, is set to maintain the U.S. Navy’s operational readiness in the region.
As the Ford sailed for its home at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, the commanding officer, Capt. Rick Burgess, lauded the crew’s exceptional performance throughout the protracted deployment.
Despite the extended duration at sea, which culminated in a 239-day deployment that was 76 days longer than originally planned, “Ford Sailors honored our namesake’s legacies of hard work, integrity, and courage,” Burgess stated.