Ships from the Navy's Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group and the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group as well as the Greek navy frigate HS Navarinon sail in formation in the Mediterranean Sea, Dec. 31, 2023. Ford and the cruiser USS Normandy transited the Strait of Gibraltar into the Atlantic Ocean on Jan. 5, 2024, while the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group took over the mission in the eastern Mediterranean. (Maxwell Orlosky/U.S. Navy)
NAPLES, Italy — The Navy’s largest and most modern aircraft carrier departed the Mediterranean Sea on Friday, a milestone on its journey back from more than eight months on deployment assisting U.S. efforts to contain the Israel-Hamas war.
USS Gerald R. Ford, along with the cruiser USS Normandy, transited the Strait of Gibraltar into the Atlantic Ocean, one of the last scheduled operations of its deployment, U.S. 6th Fleet said in a statement the same day.
The Navy had announced Jan. 1 that Ford’s return is imminent.
The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group — which includes the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, the amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde, the dock landing ship USS Carter Hall and embarked elements of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit — now is on duty in the eastern Mediterranean.
Ford left its homeport in Norfolk, Va., on May 2 for a routine deployment, relieving the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush on duty in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation.
Ford was nearing the end of its six-month deployment when Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the carrier to the eastern Mediterranean in the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
Austin subsequently extended the carrier’s deployment twice more as the U.S. used a dual-carrier strategy as part of efforts to keep Hezbollah and other Iran-backed proxies from broadening the conflict.
USS Gerald R. Ford leaves the Mediterranean Sea on Jan. 5, 2024, after an eight-month deployment that included a role in U.S. efforts to keep the Israel-Hamas war from broadening. ( Malachi Lakey/U.S. Navy)
The ship that was presumed to relieve Ford, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, instead was sent to the Middle East as part of that strategy, which analysts say was largely successful.
The carriers’ intelligence gathering and patrol capabilities not only would deter Iran and other groups but also could benefit Israel, they said.
From October through early December, the carriers combined to launch more than 4,500 flights, the Navy said.
But analysts also warned that the dual-carrier strategy put a long-term strain on the Navy.
Keeping Ford on deployment much past December would adversely affect its maintenance schedule and crew rest, hurting its readiness for future deployments, they said.
During its time in the Mediterranean, Ford participated in training, exercises and operations, the Navy’s statement said.
In addition to Normandy, the Ford group includes the destroyers USS McFaul, USS Thomas Hudner and USS Ramage. McFaul and Thomas Hudner already transited the strait, Lt. j.g. Triona Swanson said Friday.
During its time on patrol in the Middle East, USS Thomas Hudner shot down multiple attack drones launched from Houthi rebel-controlled areas of Yemen on Nov. 28.
Ramage returned to its homeport, also in Norfolk, on Dec. 3.
