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The US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is expected to leave the Middle East in the coming days and begin its return to the United States, the Washington Post reported, citing unidentified sources.
The ship is one of three US aircraft carriers currently deployed in the region, along with the USS George HW Bush and the USS Abraham Lincoln. Its departure is reportedly expected to significantly reduce US military capabilities at a time when the administration of President Donald Trump is increasing pressure on Iran to reach a deal.
The USS Gerald R. Ford has been at sea for about 10 months and is in need of immediate maintenance. Its deployment has reached 309 days, a record for the length of time a modern U.S. aircraft carrier has been at sea, significantly exceeding standard missions that typically last 6 to 7 months.
According to the Washington Post, the ship has suffered damage and technical problems during this period, including a fire in a service area that injured several sailors, as well as repeated malfunctions in internal systems. Upon its return, it is expected to undergo an extensive repair and maintenance process at its base in Virginia, likely in mid-May.
Meanwhile, the other two aircraft carriers, Lincoln and Bush, continue operations in the Arabian Sea, as part of American efforts to enforce a type of blockade on ships carrying oil or goods from Iranian ports.
Ford's long deployment has also brought relief to the approximately 4,500 sailors on board, who have been on the mission for an extended period.
The ship, the newest in the US Navy's fleet, initially departed Norfolk Naval Base on June 24 for a mission to Europe. It then rerouted to the Atlantic and Caribbean to support operations against Venezuelan oil exports before deploying to the Middle East as part of operations against Iran.
Her departure comes at a sensitive moment for the military balance in the region, as tensions with Iran and diplomatic efforts remain ongoing.
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