World’s Largest Carrier USS Gerald R. Ford Breaks Record With Longest Post-Cold War Deployment

The world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, has set a new record for the longest U.S. Navy carrier deployment in the post-Cold War era, surpassing 295 days at sea.

The deployment exceeded the previous record held by USS Abraham Lincoln, which operated for 294-295 days in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data from the U.S. Naval Institute shows that Ford has now moved ahead of that figure in terms of operational deployment.

The Ford Carrier Strike Group departed Naval Station Norfolk on June 24, 2025, initially deploying to Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.

In October, the carrier was reassigned to the Caribbean Sea as part of a larger U.S. naval presence linked to operations targeting former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro.

By February, the ship was reassigned to the Middle East and later moved into the Red Sea under U.S. Central Command.

During its deployment, the carrier has moved across several regions, including passing through the Suez Canal, and has been involved in operations connected to tensions involving Iran.

While operating in the Red Sea, a fire broke out in one of the ship’s laundry spaces. The incident damaged around 100 berths, injured several sailors, and forced the carrier to return to the Mediterranean for repairs.

Per reports, hundreds of crew members were affected by smoke exposure, while some temporarily lost access to sleeping quarters. The ship later resumed operations after undergoing repairs during a port call in Split, Croatia.

In addition to the fire, the carrier faced technical challenges, including repeated maintenance calls linked to its onboard systems, such as its waste management infrastructure.

Although the Ford now holds the modern-era record, it remains short of the longest deployment in U.S. naval history. The decommissioned USS Midway operated for 332 days during the Vietnam War between 1972 and 1973.

Similarly, USS Nimitz recorded 341 days away from home between 2020 and 2021. However, that period included extended quarantine phases ashore, with approximately 263 days counted as active deployment.

The extended deployment has raised concerns among U.S. officials regarding crew welfare and fleet maintenance cycles. Lawmakers noted that prolonged time at sea could impact sailors’ mental health and overall readiness.

The deployment is expected to last around 11 months, potentially concluding in May 2026. Officials also acknowledged that the extended timeline would affect the carrier’s maintenance schedule at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

The U.S. Navy has adjusted repair planning to accommodate the delay, while other carriers, including USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS Harry S. Truman, are currently undergoing maintenance following recent deployments of nearly nine months each.

Meanwhile, USS George H. W. Bush has deployed and is operating off the coast of Africa. It may support ongoing operations or replace the Ford, although the Navy has not confirmed its exact role yet.

References: USNI, AP News