World’s largest aircraft carrier to return to US after record deployment
The USS Gerald R Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, is returning to its home port in Virginia after a record deployment of 295 days, during which it participated in military operations related to the Iran war and the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The deployment, one of the longest for a U.S. carrier since the Vietnam War, included time in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Middle East, and was extended due to operational demands. The Navy faces questions about the strain such long deployments place on personnel and equipment, especially after the ship suffered a fire requiring repairs.
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The USS Gerald R Ford at the Souda Bay naval base in Crete in March. Photograph: Makis Kartsonakis/ReutersView image in fullscreenThe USS Gerald R Ford at the Souda Bay naval base in Crete in March. Photograph: Makis Kartsonakis/ReutersUS militaryWorld’s largest aircraft carrier to return to US after record deploymentUSS Gerald R Ford to sail home after 10-month spell including role in Maduro capture and Middle East warAssociated PressWed 29 Apr 2026 19.51 EDTLast modified on Wed 29 Apr 2026 19.53 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, will be heading home following a record-setting deployment of more than 300 days that included participating in the war against Iran and capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, two US officials…
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