Revision History

The USS Gerald R. Ford returned to Norfolk, Virginia on May 16, 2026 after 326 days at sea — the longest U.S. aircraft carrier deployment since the Vietnam War. The deployment, which saw the carrier participate in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the opening salvos of the U.S. war with Iran, has triggered Congressional concern over crew welfare and exposed structural shortfalls in Navy carrier availability that will leave the Ford out of action for up to two years.