Ford Crowned Home: Record-Long Carrier Deployment Ends in Norfolk
TL;DR
The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a 326-day deployment—the longest in more than five decades—having covered about 57,000 nautical miles, logged 5,700 flight hours, and carried out 12,000+ aircraft launches, with operations spanning the Caribbean and Iran; other carriers also returned home as CENTCOM maintains the Iran blockade, having redirected 81 commercial vessels.
- Where Are The Carriers As Of May 17, 2026: Ford Is Finally Home The War Zone
- US aircraft carrier returns home after record deployment that included Iran war, Maduro capture CNN
- Secretary Of Defense Hegseth Welcomed Home U.S. Navy Supercarrier Forbes
- Elaine Luria releases statement on USS Gerald R. Ford’s return to Hampton Roads after 11-month deployment WAVY.com
- Navy Aircraft Carrier Completes Longest Deployment Since Vietnam The New York Times
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