The United States Navy’s biggest aircraft carrier is set to return to the US following an extended mission in the Mediterranean

The US Navy is redeploying its largest warship, the USS Gerald R. Ford, back to the United States from the eastern Mediterranean Sea. This move follows the ship’s response to the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 and is part of a reassessment of global force requirements, as announced by the US Sixth Fleet.

The USS Gerald R. Ford, commissioned in 2017, is not only the US Navy’s newest aircraft carrier but also the flagship of the Navy’s first new carrier class in over 40 years. Known for its advanced capabilities and described as the “most adaptable and lethal combat platform in the world,” the carrier began its first combat deployment on May 2, lasting eight months.

The 100,000-ton warship, equipped with F/A-18 Super Hornet jet fighters, was positioned off the coast of Israel shortly after Hamas’ attacks, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths. The carrier’s presence was intended to enhance US “regional deterrence and defense posture.”

With the USS Gerald R. Ford’s withdrawal, the USS Eisenhower remains the sole US aircraft carrier in the region. This happens amidst escalating tensions due to Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthis have launched numerous attacks on commercial vessels since October 7, claiming to act in support of Hamas.

Over the recent weekend, US forces, including helicopters from the USS Eisenhower, engaged in a lethal encounter with Houthi units. The US forces sank three Houthi boats that had attacked a commercial ship and fired at the responding US helicopters. One boat escaped, as reported by US Central Command.

Despite the USS Gerald R. Ford’s departure, the US Sixth Fleet assures that significant naval capabilities remain in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. This includes the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, capable of carrying Marine Corps F-35 stealth fighters, along with the dock landing ship USS Carter Hall and amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde.

US guided-missile destroyers, some of which have recently intercepted Houthi drones and missiles, are also present in the region. Additionally, the US has initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian, a maritime coalition to enhance security in the southern Red Sea, working with allies and partners to maintain maritime security and deter further escalations in the crisis beyond Gaza.