USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, pulls in to Souda Bay, Greece, Dec. 2, 2023. The carrier is making a scheduled port visit at the base on the island of Crete. (Jacob Mattingly/U.S. Navy)
The Navy’s largest aircraft carrier has arrived at a base in Crete for a port visit, giving sailors on deployment in the Mediterranean Sea a respite after their mission was extended in response to Israel’s war in Gaza.
The USS Gerald R. Ford arrived Saturday at the Navy’s Souda Bay installation on the Greek island, marking the sixth stop for the vessel during its deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations. It’s been deployed there since May.
“The crew has been laser-focused on the mission,” said Capt. Rick Burgess, commander of the carrier.
Sailors have earned some time off and will get a chance to take in the surrounding area, he said.
Seaman Daniel Mitchell and Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Reed raise the American and Greek flags aboard USS Gerald R. Ford during the aircraft carrier's port visit to Souda Bay, Greece, Dec. 2, 2023. (Jacob Mattingly/U.S. Navy)
Ford was initially dispatched as part of an effort to deter Russian aggression in the eastern Mediterranean region.
The carrier was at the tail end of its six-month mission when Hamas launched a large-scale terrorist attack on Israel in early October. Israel’s ongoing response has brought concerns about the potential for a wider war.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the extension of Ford’s mission Oct. 17 in a move intended to deter Iran and its proxies from instigating a larger conflict.
The decision meant that the Navy at one point had two carrier groups operating in the Mediterranean, the other being USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, which was scheduled to relieve Ford.
Ford is the Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier and incorporates several other destroyers as part of its strike group. There are more than 4,500 sailors aboard.
It’s unclear how much longer their deployment will continue, but eventually the carrier will need to return to its homeport to keep to its maintenance and deployment schedules.
Ford has a dual-band radar that creates a 360-degree view of activity around the carrier, including the airspace above it. Security analysts say that such a system could help Israel watch for potential long-range ballistic missile threats.
