In a historic return, the USS Gerald R. Ford, hailed as the largest aircraft carrier in the world, anchored back in Virginia on Saturday after an extensive 11-month mission. This deployment, the most prolonged since the Vietnam War, included operations supporting U.S. engagements with Iran and played a pivotal role in the apprehension of Nicolás Maduro, during his tenure as Venezuela’s president.
The state-of-the-art carrier, accompanied by two destroyers, docked at Naval Station Norfolk to the eager anticipation of approximately 5,000 sailors, reuniting with their families for the first time since June. Throughout their journey, these sailors not only engaged in combat missions and traversed numerous continents but also faced a non-combat incident—a fire aboard the carrier. This incident temporarily displaced hundreds, necessitating substantial repairs on the Greek island of Crete.
Welcoming the returning vessels, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was present to acknowledge the crew’s efforts, particularly highlighting the accomplishments of the USS Bainbridge, one of the accompanying destroyers.
“You have not only fulfilled your mission but have also carved a place in history,” Hegseth praised, addressing the crew from the Bainbridge’s deck. “Your achievements have made the nation proud.”
“You didn’t just accomplish a mission, you made history,” Hegseth said on the destroyer’s deck. “You made a nation proud.”
Hegseth also spoke to the crews of the USS Mahan, a destroyer, and the Ford.
In recognition of their service during the Iran war, the Ford and the accompanying ships were awarded the prestigious Presidential Unit Citation, lauded for “outstanding performance in action” against “a determined enemy.” It’s the highest award a unit can receive and one typically reserved for significant achievement in combat.
The Ford’s 326 days at sea are the most for an aircraft carrier in the past 50 years and broke the record for the longest post-Vietnam War deployment, according to U.S. Naval Institute News, a news outlet run by the U.S. Naval Institute, a nonprofit organization. The only longer deployments were the 1973 deployment of USS Midway at 332 days and the 1965 deployment of USS Coral Sea at 329 days.
The Ford’s long time at sea has raised questions about the impact on service members who are away from home for long periods as well as about increasing strain on the ship and its equipment beyond the fire, which started in one of the carrier’s laundry spaces.
When the Ford first left Virginia’s coast in June, it headed to the Mediterranean Sea. It was then rerouted to the Caribbean Sea in October as part of the largest naval buildup in the region in generations.
The carrier took part in the military operation in January to capture Maduro. Then it would see more battle, heading toward the Middle East as tensions with Iran escalated. The Ford participated in the opening days of the Iran war from the Mediterranean Sea before going through the Suez Canal and heading into the Red Sea in early March.
Technically, the crew of the USS Nimitz was on duty and away from home for a total of 341 days in 2020 and 2021. However, that included extended isolation periods ashore in the U.S. meant to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
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Associated Press writers Ben Finley and Konstantin Toropin in Washington contributed to this report.