In recent hours, the U.S. Navy announced that the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) Carrier Strike Group will be deployed to the area of responsibility of the U.S. European Command (EUCOM). As announced, the most modern aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy departed today from Naval Station Norfolk, in support of the country’s national security and defense objectives. In parallel, the situation in the Middle East between Israel and Iran has prompted the reinforcement of U.S. military assets in the region.
As part of the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, the ship will be accompanied by the nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8; Arleigh Burke-class destroyers from Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, under the command of Captain Mark Lawrence; and the USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81). Additionally, DESRON 2 includes the USS Mitscher (DDG 57), USS Mahan (DDG 72), USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), and USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98).
As a brief recap, the CVN-78 returned to the United States in early January 2024 after completing 204 days of operations in the Mediterranean. Throughout 2023, the carrier was deployed twice: first in response to events related to the Russia–Ukraine war, and later following the outbreak of the Israel–Hamas conflict, which prompted its deployment to the Eastern Mediterranean. During this time, ships accompanying the carrier sailed into the Red Sea, where they intercepted ballistic missiles and drones launched from Yemen. From then on, the Ford, alongside the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, formed a rare dual-carrier presence in the region, reflecting U.S. concern over the ongoing conflict.
More than a year later, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) returns to operational status with a new deployment in the EUCOM area of responsibility, amid a regional context marked by mounting tension in the Middle East. While details regarding the carrier’s final mission remain limited, Carrier Strike Group 12 commander, Rear Admiral Paul Lanzilotta, stated: “We’re heading to the European theater. That’s our first stop”, leaving open questions about the carrier’s ultimate destination and that of its accompanying units.
These are the U.S. aircraft carriers currently deployed
With the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the U.S. Navy now has four aircraft carriers deployed overseas, out of a total fleet of eleven. In the Middle East, the U.S. has the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). The Nimitz joined the Fifth Fleet just a few days ago and is now operating in the Arabian Sea following the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran. The Vinson, meanwhile, has been in the area since April, after being deployed in mid-November 2024.
Lastly, the USS George Washington (CVN-73) returned earlier this month to its homeport in Yokosuka, Japan, where it is forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific region. In recent months, it has conducted various exercises and training operations in the area of responsibility of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, reaffirming U.S. presence and alliance with regional partners in response to China’s growing assertiveness.
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