The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, seen here underway in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, March 22, 2026, is expected to depart the Middle East soon and return to Norfolk, Va. (Tajh Payne/U.S. Navy)
The more than 4,500 service members embarked on USS Gerald R. Ford may soon return to their families as the aircraft carrier begins its sunset cruise on a record-breaking deployment, according to media reports.
The Ford is expected to depart the Middle East soon and return by mid-May to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., The Washington Post and The Associated Press reported Wednesday, both citing anonymous U.S. officials.
The Navy has not publicly announced the carrier’s return. U.S. Central Command on Thursday said it wouldn’t comment on ship schedules, citing operational security concerns.
On Thursday, the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group entered its 311th day of deployment, a post-Vietnam War record that could eclipse some of the lengthiest carrier deployments since 1964. The group includes the destroyers USS Winston S. Churchill and USS Mahan and Carrier Air Wing 8.
That reduction of U.S. firepower in the Middle East comes as President Donald Trump ratchets up pressure on Iran with an economic blockade aimed at forcing the Iranian regime to give up its nuclear ambitions.
On Wednesday, Trump renewed his threats to Iran, posting an AI-generated photo of himself holding a gun on Truth Social with the words: “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!”
The post went on to say that Iran didn’t know how to sign a non-nuclear deal and couldn’t get its act together.
“They better get smart soon,” Trump said in the post.
Ford’s pending departure also follows the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, which is operating in the Arabian Sea alongside the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. Bush had been expected to relieve Ford.
The three carriers represent the highest number deployed to the Middle East since 2003, when five were deployed during the Iraq War.
There are about 15 other destroyers operating in the Middle East along with the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group and multiple other Navy vessels. Four more destroyers are operating in the eastern Mediterranean, USNI News reported on Monday.
Ford left Norfolk in late June on what was expected to be a routine deployment to Europe. Since then, the carrier’s more than 10-month whipsaw deployment has included duty in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Red seas.
For example, the carrier was ordered in October to the Caribbean and was in the region for the capture and arrest of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in January.
Ford presumably was nearing the end of an eight-month deployment when it was ordered to the Middle East in February amid increased tensions with Iran.
It entered the Red Sea in early March, continuing its role in Operation Epic Fury, the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran.
But about a week later, a fire in the ship’s main laundry areas damaged several compartments and displaced some 600 personnel. Three sailors received injuries that were not life-threatening.
On March 23, the carrier returned to Naval Support Activity Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete for an assessment and repairs, including rehabilitation of seven berthing compartments.
The Navy has released few details on the fire but said it was not combat-related.
After a port visit to Split, Croatia, for scheduled maintenance and crew rest, the carrier resumed operations April 3, reentering the Red Sea about two weeks later.
Ford’s lengthy deployment has come under the scrutiny of congressional leaders, some of whom point to concerns about delays in much-needed maintenance for the ship and increased strain on sailors and their families.
On Wednesday, several lawmakers questioned Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during a congressional hearing, asking if the ship’s extended deployment was necessary, given its likely impacts to overall fleet readiness, The Washington Post reported.
“A tough decision-making process led to the extension,” Hegseth said, adding that the determination was made in consultation with the Navy.
