The Long Warships of the Middle East The return of the USS Gerald R. Ford to its Virginia homeport marks a milestone in the United States' ongoing military presence in the Middle East.
The aircraft carrier's 326 day deployment, the longest since the Vietnam War, underscores the enduring nature of US involvement in the region. The Ford's mission was marked by challenges and controversies.
Its deployment included participation in operations against alleged drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean, where the distinction between combatants and civilians is increasingly blurred.