conflictSaturday, May 16, 2026event May 177 sources

USS Gerald R. Ford Returns Home After Record 326-Day Deployment, Supporting Iran War and Capture of Maduro

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, returned to Virginia after a 326-day deployment, marking the longest since the Vietnam War. The mission involved military operations in the Caribbean and the capture of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro. The deployment was described as supporting the Iran war by some sources, while others noted it as an 11-month operation.

The USS Gerald R. Ford returned to Virginia on May 17, 2026, after a 326-day deployment, according to the Straits Times, WION, and Al Arabiya. France24 and Middle East Eye also reported the return, noting it as the longest deployment since the Vietnam War. The carrier participated in military operations in the Caribbean and the capture of Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela's leader, as stated by France24. The Washington Post and AP News referred to the deployment as 11 months, supporting the Iran war and the capture of Maduro. The sources diverge on the duration of the deployment and the specific context of the mission.

Where Sources Diverge

The Straits Times and WION refer to the deployment as 326 days, while The Washington Post and AP News refer to it as 11 months.

straits-times

326-day deployment

wapo

11-month deployment

wion

record 326-day deployment

ap

11-month deployment

France24 and Al Arabiya English mention the deployment as the longest since the Vietnam War, while other sources do not specify this context.

france24

longest deployment since the Vietnam War

al-arabiya

326-day deployment

Timelines

Sources

IndependentWIONMay 17, 02:21 PM
Tears, hugs and homecoming: USS Gerald R Ford returns after record 326-day deployment - VIDEO - WION

Tears, hugs and homecoming: USS Gerald R Ford returns after record 326-day deployment - VIDEO  WION

PublicFrance 24May 17, 09:39 AM
Middle East live: USS Ford returns from Iran war after longest deployment since Vietnam

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, which was dispatched to the Middle East ahead of the outbreak of the Iran war, returned home to Virginia this weekend after a 326-day deployment, its longest since the Vietnam War. Its latest mission saw military operations in the Caribbean and the capture of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro. Follow our liveblog for all the latest updates.

IndependentAl ArabiyaMay 17, 08:34 AM
USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier returns home after 326-day deployment - Al Arabiya English

USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier returns home after 326-day deployment  Al Arabiya English

IndependentStraits TimesMay 17, 05:27 AM
USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier returns home after 326-day deployment - The Straits Times

USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier returns home after 326-day deployment  The Straits Times

IndependentMiddle East EyeMay 17, 02:20 AM
USS Gerald R Ford returns after longest deployment since Vietnam - Middle East Eye

USS Gerald R Ford returns after longest deployment since Vietnam  Middle East Eye

IndependentWashington PostMay 16, 09:42 PM
USS Ford returns home after 11-month deployment supporting the Iran war and Maduro's capture - The Washington Post

USS Ford returns home after 11-month deployment supporting the Iran war and Maduro's capture  The Washington Post

WireAssociated PressMay 16, 06:50 PM
USS Ford returns home after 11-month deployment supporting the Iran war and Maduro's capture - AP News

USS Ford returns home after 11-month deployment supporting the Iran war and Maduro's capture  AP News