USS Gerald R. Ford strike group returns home to Norfolk after record deployment

After nearly 11 months at sea, the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group arrived home Saturday at Naval Station Norfolk, marking the end of a record-breaking deployment.

The group, which left Hampton Roads in June 2025, spent months supporting U.S. national security and maritime missions overseas. Officials said the deployment was the longest for a carrier strike group since the Vietnam War.

Returning to port were nearly 4,500 sailors assigned to the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), along with the USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) and USS Mahan (DDG 72)…

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