The USS Gerald R. Ford, America’s largest and newest aircraft carrier, is set to return to port in Virginia Saturday after nearly a year at sea that included participating in the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the Iran war, a shipboard fire, and repeated plumbing issues.

USS Gerald R. Ford departed Naval Station Norfolk on June 24, 2025, and will have spent 326 days at sea, the longest carrier deployment since the Vietnam War.

The world’s largest aircraft carrier is finally returning home after etching its name into Navy history books.

The USS Gerald R. Ford completed a 326-day deployment, surpassing the previous record held by the USS Abraham Lincoln.