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From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
USS Gerald R. Ford to leave Mideast in coming days, return to Virginia — report
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The world's largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, that has been part of Middle East war operations, arrives in the Croatian coastal city of Split for a scheduled port visit and maintenance stop on March 28, 2026. (ELVIS BARUKCIC / AFP)
The USS Gerald R. Ford will sail back to the United States in the coming days after 10 months at sea, multiple US officials tell the Washington Post.
The departure of the aircraft carrier, one of three in the region, will mark a significant decrease in US firepower amid a fragile ceasefire with Iran, and as the US maintains a naval blockade of Iranian ports.
The aircraft carrier will likely arrive in Virginia around mid-May, one official says.
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