The USS Gerald R. Ford, the U.S. Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, returns to Virginia after an 11-month deployment, described by multiple outlets as the longest since the Vietnam War. France 24 reports the carrier completes a 326-day mission and arrives home this weekend, while other outlets say it returns on Saturday.
During the deployment, the carrier supports U.S. operations related to the war with Iran, with several reports citing its role in backing the conflict in the Middle East. The sources also agree the USS Ford carries out operations beyond the region, including activities in the Caribbean.
All outlets further note that the carrier is linked to the capture of Nicolás Maduro, identifying him as the Venezuelan president at the time. The reports frame the deployment as a broad set of missions combining U.S. military support in the Iran war context with operations that extend to Venezuela.
While outlets differ slightly on timing and wording, they consistently describe the same ship, the same return location, and the same length and major mission themes.
