USS Gerald Ford Sets New Record for Time at Sea
The Ford was first deployed in November 2025 to the Caribbean as part of a US military buildup near Venezuela. In February, it was redirected to the Middle East ahead of the war with Iran, where it has since taken part in ongoing operations.
The USS Gerald R. Ford has set a new record for the longest deployment of a US aircraft carrier since the Vietnam War, reaching 295 consecutive days at sea, according to US naval data.
The deployment surpasses the previous post-Vietnam record of 294 days, set by the USS Abraham Lincoln in 2020.
The Ford was first deployed in November 2025 to the Caribbean as part of a US military buildup near Venezuela. In February, it was redirected to the Middle East ahead of the war with Iran, where it has since taken part in ongoing operations.
US defense officials have not confirmed a final end date for the deployment, but senior Navy leaders have indicated it could last around 11 months, potentially keeping the carrier at sea until late May.
The USS Gerald R. Ford is the largest and most advanced aircraft carrier in the US Navy, with a construction cost of approximately $13 billion, making it the most expensive warship in US history.