USS Gerald R. Ford Completes Historic Deployment, Returns to Norfolk
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, has returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a historic 326-day deployment. This deployment, the longest in over five decades, included operations across two continents and multiple combatant commands. Initially departing for a routine mission to Europe, the carrier was redirected to the Caribbean for Operation Absolute Resolve, which involved the extraction of President Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela. Subsequently, the carrier participated in Operation Epic Fury against Iran, projecting power in the eastern Mediterranean and northern Red Sea. During its deployment, the Ford sailed over 57,000 nautical miles, logged more than 5,700 flight hours, and conducted over 12,000 aircraft launches. Upon its return, Carrier Strike Group 12 was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the highest honor for a military unit. 
