USS Gerald R Ford’s Record Deployment Sparks Outrage and Concern
The USS Gerald R. Ford has set a new record for the longest deployment by a U.S. aircraft carrier since the Vietnam War, reaching 295 days at sea on April 15, 2026. This extensive deployment included operations in the Mediterranean, the Arctic, and the Caribbean, where the carrier participated in counter-narcotics missions. The vessel also conducted operations in the Red Sea as part of “Operation Epic Fury” before a fire necessitated a return to port. The USS George H.W. Bush carrier strike group is expected to relieve the Ford, allowing its crew to finally return home after this historically long tour of duty.
John Q. Hosedrinker