The USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, on Saturday after completing an 11-month deployment, marking the longest such mission since the Vietnam War. The carrier, along with two escorting destroyers—including the USS Bainbridge—docked to the relief of approximately 5,000 sailors who were reunited with their families for the first time since June.

During the deployment, the carrier group played a significant role in supporting U.S. military operations linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Additionally, the mission notably included operations connected to the capture of Nicolás Maduro while he was serving as Venezuela’s president. The sailors undertook extensive combat and strategic tasks, spanning various regions and confronting numerous challenges along the way.

Apart from its combat duties, the crew contended with an onboard fire while docked on the Greek island of Crete. This incident disrupted living quarters for hundreds of personnel and necessitated extended repairs, adding logistical difficulties to an already demanding deployment.

At the arrival ceremony, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the USS Bainbridge’s crew for their effective performance during the mission. Speaking from the destroyer’s deck, Hegseth remarked, “You didn’t just accomplish a mission, you made history. You made a nation proud.”

The return of the USS Gerald R. Ford underscores a significant milestone in U.S. naval operations, demonstrating the capacity of advanced warships and their crews to conduct prolonged missions across multiple theaters while supporting complex strategic objectives.