“Gerald R. Ford remains poised for full mission tasking in support of national objectives in any area of operation,” stated a representative of the U.S. Navy following the carrier’s departure from Split, Croatia.
The USS Gerald R. Ford had recently completed repairs after a fire in the laundry and berthing areas injured two personnel. The incident affected approximately 100 sleeping berths and required the treatment of around 200 sailors for smoke exposure.
The carrier, which has been deployed since June 2025, is equipped with Carrier Air Wing 8, featuring F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, E-2D Hawkeyes, and MH-60 helicopters. This deployment has seen the USS Gerald R. Ford operating across multiple theaters, including the Arctic, Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Red Sea.
Following a five-day port visit in Split, the USS Gerald R. Ford was declared combat-ready. This marks one of the longest and most demanding deployments in recent Navy history, with the carrier operating continuously for roughly nine months.
The carrier has been involved in U.S. operations against Iran since the launch of joint U.S.-Israeli strikes in late February 2026. The decision to prioritize immediate operational availability over conducting full maintenance has raised some concerns.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the extent of the repairs conducted on the USS Gerald R. Ford, particularly concerning any underlying maintenance issues that may have been deferred. The carrier’s Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) has faced reliability concerns, achieving only 600 cycles between operational failures, significantly below its design requirement of 4,000 cycles.
As the USS Gerald R. Ford continues its mission, it is part of a broader U.S. naval buildup in the region, which includes multiple aircraft carriers. The operational capabilities of the carrier will be closely monitored as it moves forward.
“Unlike land-based aircraft, carrier aviation can be repositioned without political constraints around basing or overflight rights,” an expert noted, highlighting the strategic advantages of carrier-based operations.
With the USS Gerald R. Ford now back at sea, the Navy is preparing for the next phase of its operations, as it remains a critical asset in U.S. military strategy.
