The US Navy announced on 2/4 that the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford had departed Split, Croatia, after completing a five-day port call. The warship's next destination is currently unknown, but the Navy affirmed its readiness, stating, "The Ford remains ready to conduct full range missions in support of national objectives in any region."

The Ford carrier strike group, which departed Norfolk, Virginia, in late June 2025, has been operating at sea for 282 days. This extended deployment could set a new record for the longest in decades if the vessel does not return to its homeport before 15/4.

Fighter jets taking off and landing on the USS Gerald R. Ford on 8/3. Video: US Navy

The recent port calls were necessary after the USS Gerald R. Ford arrived at Souda Bay, Greece, on 23/3 for repairs following a laundry room fire 11 days earlier. This incident forced hundreds of sailors to relocate their berthing and required the US Navy to transfer mattresses from the USS John F. Kennedy to supplement the Ford. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

During its time at Souda Bay, seven berthing compartments on the Ford were renovated. After five days docked in Greece, the USS Gerald R. Ford proceeded to Split, Croatia, on 28/3 to receive additional supplies. Sailors were granted liberty during this period.

The prolonged deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford has raised concerns among military experts regarding potential morale issues within the crew and a decline in the warship's combat readiness. Former US Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery highlighted this risk, stating that shipboard equipment would begin to malfunction after approximately eight months without port maintenance and repairs.

US Navy leaders have previously acknowledged the challenges that crews face during extended periods at sea. US Navy Commander Daryl Caudle addressed these sacrifices in February, stating, "Extended deployments demand endurance. They cause sailors to miss many celebrations and everyday moments at home, and place additional responsibilities on their families. That sacrifice is real, and we do not take it lightly."

The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean Sea on 22/3. Photo: US Navy

Concurrently, the US Navy currently has only one aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, operating in the Middle East and participating in operations against Iran. Another carrier, the USS George H.W. Bush, departed Norfolk on 1/4 and appears to be headed to the Middle East, potentially to reinforce regional presence.

Nguyen Tien (According to USNI, AFP, AP)