USS Gerald R. Ford Returns After Record-Breaking Deployment

The 326-334 day deployment broke the post-Vietnam War record for longest continuous carrier deployment.

The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the U.S. Navy's newest and largest aircraft carrier, returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, on Saturday after a deployment lasting 326 to 334 days at sea. This sets a record for the longest continuous carrier deployment since the Vietnam War.

The deployment, which began June 24, 2024, saw the ship operate in Europe, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. It was marked by a significant fire, ongoing mechanical failures, and a substantial maintenance backlog.

Deployment Timeline and Operations

The USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group, including the destroyers USS Bainbridge and USS Mahan, departed from Norfolk Naval Station on June 24, 2024. The deployment included operations in multiple theaters:

• Mediterranean Sea: The carrier initially sailed to the Mediterranean.
• Caribbean Sea: In October 2024, the ship was rerouted to the Caribbean as part of a naval buildup.
• Venezuela: The carrier participated in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January.
• Middle East: The Ford sailed to the Middle East amid heightened tensions with Iran, entering the Red Sea in early March 2025, where it launched F/A-18 aircraft in support of operations against Iran.

During the deployment, the ship traveled a distance equivalent to three times around the Earth. Approximately 80 children were born to sailors in the strike group during this period.

The carrier received the Presidential Unit Citation for "outstanding performance in action" during the Iran conflict.

Onboard Incidents and Mechanical Issues

Several incidents occurred during the deployment that affected the crew and the ship's operations.

Laundry Room Fire

• A fire broke out in the ship's main laundry area on March 12, 2025.
• The fire burned for over 30 hours.
• Two American sailors were injured, with one requiring an airlift to a medical facility.
• The fire displaced over 600 sailors from their bunks, with some losing personal belongings. Reports indicate those displaced slept on tables or the floor.
• The fire required lengthy repairs on the Greek island of Crete.
• The ship's electrical system, hot water supply, and plumbing, which had experienced issues early in the deployment, were fully restored after the fire.
• The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), is investigating the cause of the fire, including whether it was intentionally set.

Sewage System Failures

An email from the engineering department on March 18, 2025, indicated 205 breakdowns in four days, requiring sailors responsible for sewage system maintenance to work 19-hour days.

The ship's Vacuum Collection, Holding, and Transfer (VCHT) system experienced recurring breakdowns.

• A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report from 2020 identified the system as undersized and poorly designed.
• Navy documents obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request indicated a trouble call related to the VCHT system was made daily when the crew was at full strength.
• Blockages were caused by foreign objects such as T-shirts, rope, and commercial toilet paper. A loose valve could disable all toilets in a section of the ship.
• The most expensive issue is calcium build-up in the narrow pipes, requiring an acid flush estimated to cost $400,000. The ship has undergone at least 10 such flushes since 2023, a procedure that can only be performed in port.
• The Navy stated the problems have had "no operational impact."

Crew Morale and Support

• Crew members and their families expressed concerns regarding morale following extensions to the deployment schedule and the operational issues.
• Families reported delays in receiving packages, with some deliveries taking up to two months.
• Service members received hardship duty pay of up to $495 per month ($16.50 per day) after 220 days deployed, a rate that has not been updated since 2014.
• The Armed Services YMCA in Hampton Roads operates a food pantry for military families, which reduced its hours due to high demand. Blue Star Families opened a chapter in Norfolk to support families during the deployment.

Statements from Officials

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: Commended the crews of the USS Bainbridge, USS Mahan, and USS Ford upon their return, stating, "You didn't just accomplish a mission, you made history."
• Rear Adm. Gavin Duff: Stated the Navy will focus on reconnecting and reintegrating sailors with their families. Sailors will receive leave and shortened work weeks.
• Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle: Characterized the deployment as a "once in a lifetime" event, attributed to operational demands. He stated the Navy aims to limit deployments to the designed seven months.
• Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.): Criticized the extended deployment, stating the ship should not have remained in the Middle East, particularly after the fire.

Maintenance and Repairs

The USS Gerald R. Ford will undergo maintenance at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. The maintenance period will include:

• Repairs to damage from the laundry room fire.
• An upgrade to the VCHT system. The shipyard plans to install a fix previously used on the USS George H.W. Bush that subdivides the system to contain failures to smaller areas.
• An acid flush for the sewage system, which cannot be performed while deployed.

The delayed delivery of the next Ford-class carrier, USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79), now scheduled for 2027, has placed increased operational demands on the USS Gerald R. Ford.

Deployment Context

The 326-334 day deployment broke the post-Vietnam War record for longest continuous deployment. For comparison:

*The USS Nimitz figure includes extended isolation periods ashore due to COVID-19.