The U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is scheduled to return to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, on Saturday after nearly a year at sea. According to reporting from multiple outlets, the carrier completes what is described as the longest deployment since the Vietnam War, having spent 326 days underway.
One report notes that the deployment includes periods when the ship was diverted from its planned schedule to respond to heightened operational needs related to Venezuela and Iran. The carrier had also been dispatched earlier in the deployment year, departing Naval Station Norfolk on June 24, 2025.
As the ship completes its mission and heads back to its homeport, the coverage focuses on the overall duration and historical comparison, rather than detailing specific individual operations. Both outlets agree on the timing of the return and the length of time at sea, framing the end of the deployment as a notable milestone for U.S. naval aviation operations.
