The USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest warship in the world, deployed to the eastern Mediterranean Sea following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, will return to its home port in Norfolk, Virginia, as per an official statement by the US Sixth Fleet. Although the exact date of redeployment wasn't disclosed, the warship is set to head back "in the coming days" after an eight-month combat deployment that commenced on May 2. Commissioned in 2017, the USS Gerald R. Ford stands as the newest aircraft carrier in the US Navy, leading the Navy’s first new carrier class in over 40 years.
During its presence off the coast of Israel after the Hamas attacks, carrying F/A-18 Super Hornet jet fighters, the USS Gerald R. Ford aimed to fortify US "regional deterrence and defense posture," as stated by the Sixth Fleet. Additionally, the Department of Defense (DoD) continues to assess its global force posture, emphasizing robust capabilities in the Mediterranean and across the Middle East.
The eastern Mediterranean hosts a collaboration of US naval assets, including the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan capable of carrying Marine Corps F-35 stealth fighters, alongside the dock landing ship USS Carter Hall and amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde. Moreover, the Sixth Fleet highlighted the presence of US guided-missile destroyers that have intercepted Houthi drones and missiles in recent weeks.
The statement stressed the collaborative efforts with allies and partners to reinforce maritime security in the region. It affirmed the DoD's commitment to utilizing collective force posture to deter any state or non-state actor from escalating the crisis beyond Gaza.
(With Agency Inputs)
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