Final Leg: USS Gerald R Ford homeward bound after almost 12 months at sea

The US Navy's largest and most advanced nuclear-powered aircraft carrier has now entered the Atlantic Ocean and is returning home after a mammoth deployment.

Footage shared on X captured the imposing figure of Gerald R Ford transiting through the Strait of Gibraltar - a narrow waterway linking the Mediterranean and Atlantic Oceans.

After 316 days at sea – the longest time of any US Navy aircraft carrier since the Vietnam War – she could return to her home port of Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, by the end of the month.

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Homeward bound

The Gerald R Ford began her deployment from Norfolk, Virginia, in 2025, setting course for the Mediterranean. 

In the autumn, she was redeployed to the Caribbean, entering the US Southern Command as part of the military build-up aimed at Venezuela's leadership, which saw the successful capture of the country's president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife Cilia Flores, at the start of this year. 

She was then directed to the Middle East, becoming a critical component as part of Operation Epic Fury.

However, such a lengthy deployment at sea proved to be a somewhat costly mistake for the world's most advanced aircraft carrier.

Following a fire on board that injured several sailors and caused significant damage, she was forced to sail to Crete for essential repairs.

Hooyah. Sempi Fi.

In a post on X, Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao said that he recently visited the strike group to personally thank "America's sons and daughters for completing a long, demanding deployment".

"Our US Navy and USMC (United States Marine Corps) showed both allies and adversaries the grit and resilience that have defined the United States for 250 years," he said.

Given that the carrier has spent nearly a year at sea, she is unlikely to be deployed again until late 2027, or perhaps even longer, notes Forbes.

They add that Gerald R Ford is yet to receive upgrades to fully operate with the Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II – aircraft designed specifically for US Navy carrier operations – meaning she may be sidelined for some time to complete those updates. 

Still, after a record-breaking time at sea, her crew probably won't be complaining.