USS Gerald R. Ford sets post‑Vietnam deployment record

The nuclear‑powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford returned to its home port after a 13‑month deployment, the longest for a U.S. carrier since the Vietnam era. The extended tour saw the ship operating across the Indo‑Pacific, conducting multiple joint exercises and maintaining a continuous presence in contested waters. Navy officials said the record reflects the fleet’s heightened operational tempo amid rising regional tensions. The achievement underscores the strategic emphasis on forward deployment under the Trump administration’s defense posture.