Published on 4/30/2026
Two American officials said – yesterday, Wednesday – that the largest aircraft carrier in the world, the USS Gerald R. Ford, will return to the United States after a record deployment that lasted more than 300 days, which included participation in the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the war on Iran that lasted 40 days.
The two officials – who refused to reveal their identities – explained that the aircraft carrier will leave the Middle East in the coming days, heading to its port in Virginia.
On the other hand, the US Central Command said – on the “X” platform – that the aircraft carrier “Gerald Ford” continues to carry out routine flight operations, while sailing in the Red Sea.
The American aircraft carrier is expected to arrive at its port in mid-May. Once it returns to Virginia, it is supposed to undergo extensive repairs and maintenance.
The Gerald R. Ford is the largest and most modern aircraft carrier in the US Navy. It was deployed, especially during a naval blockade off the coast of Venezuela, and later headed to the Middle East to participate in the war against Iran.
Fire on board the carrier
On March 12, the Fifth Fleet of the US Naval Forces Central Command announced that a fire had broken out on board the aircraft carrier “Gerald R. Ford” while performing its duties in the waters of the Red Sea, resulting in the injury of two sailors.
The “Gerald Ford” entered service in July 2017, and its construction cost amounted to about 12 billion US dollars, as it was equipped with electromagnetic launch systems, two nuclear reactors, and advanced combat equipment.
This carrier carries more than 75 aircraft, and carries out major strategic missions in support of American military operations and America’s allies around the world.
Three carriers in the area
In a related context, the two American officials indicated that three American aircraft carriers are currently deployed in the Middle East, with the arrival of the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier to the region last week, a level that has not been recorded since the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
They also explained that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has also been in the region since January, with tensions escalating with Tehran.
For weeks, the United States has been strengthening its military forces in the Middle East, and is threatening to carry out new military action against Iran to force it to resume negotiations and push it to abandon its nuclear and missile programs.
