The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) supercarrier and its strike group returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, on May 16, 2026, following a deployment lasting around 326 days that began on June 24, 2025 [1, 2]. The group operated in several regions including the North Sea, Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Red Sea [1].
The strike group consisted of the USS Gerald R. Ford and guided missile destroyers USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) and USS Mahan (DDG-72) [1, 2]. The Carrier Air Wing 8, embarked on the carrier, returned earlier in the week to their home bases at Naval Station Norfolk and Naval Air Station Oceana [1].
During deployment, the strike group took part in two combat operations. These included launching aircraft for missions related to the Iran conflict and supporting the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro [1, 2]. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth welcomed approximately 4,500 sailors home aboard the USS Bainbridge and praised their efforts. He said, "You didn’t just accomplish a mission, you made history. You made a nation proud" [1].
Hegseth detailed the changing scope of their mission: "You sailed to the Mediterranean, to Europe. You thought that was your mission. And then orders changed, and you sailed to the Caribbean, and you helped ensure that foreign terrorist organizations, drugs, (and) others were put on notice" [2]. He added, "You made sure a dictator, who put on notice and brought home justice, showing the world what was possible with absolute resolve. And then when called upon again, you sailed to the Middle East to be a part of a historic mission operation, 'Epic Fury.'" [2]
The crew faced operational difficulties during the long deployment, including clogged toilets and battling a fire that lasted about 30 hours [1]. The exact length of the deployment is reported as 326 days by some sources, while others say it lasted more than 320 days, roughly 11 months [1, 2].
The strike group's return marks the end of a major naval operation involving key U.S. strategic areas. The next scheduled event involving Carrier Air Wing 8 will be their ongoing activities from their home bases.
