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

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The USS Gerald R. Ford has returned home to Virginia (May 16, 2026). The world’s largest aircraft carrier is back in port at Naval Station Norfolk after an 11-month deployment. That’s the longest since the Vietnam War. The Ford supported the U.S. war with Iran and the capture of Nicolás Maduro when he was Venezuela’s president. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was on hand for the arrival Saturday of the warships, which included the destroyers USS Bainbridge and USS Mahan.