The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier will leave the Middle East to return to the US

The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, the most modern in the Navy, prepares to leave the Middle East in the coming days and begin its return to the country after a prolonged deployment of approximately ten months, amid persistent tension with Iran.

According to US media reports such as The Washington Publish and confirmations from officials cited by CBS News, The ship and its attack group will begin the withdrawal after spending nearly 309 days in operationsa record figure for a modern American aircraft carrier.

About 4,500 sailors travel on board, who have participated in missions in Europe, the Caribbean and, more recently, in the Red Sea area.

The departure of the Gerald R. Ford will reduce the US naval presence in the region, where three aircraft carriers currently operate as part of the strategy of military pressure against Iran. Following their departure, the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS George HW Bush will remain deployed, continuing to operate primarily in the Arabian Sea.

A withdrawal without immediate de-escalation

Although the withdrawal of the Ford implies a decrease in US air-naval power in the areaPentagon authorities have stressed that this movement does not represent an immediate de-escalation of the conflict.

The presence of the other two attack groups maintains Washington’s operational capacity in a context marked by a fragile ceasefire and stalled negotiations with Tehran.

During its deployment, the Gerald R. Ford played a key role in the maritime blockade imposed by the United States on Iranian portsa measure aimed at stopping the transportation of oil and goods that, according to Washington, benefit the Iranian government. This blockade continues to be one of the main instruments of pressure in US strategy.

The aircraft carrier also faced various technical and operational challenges. Among the reported incidents is a fire in a laundry room on the ship that left several people injured, as well as recurring problems in internal systems, including toilets. These difficulties, coupled with the natural wear and tear of a prolonged mission, have led to the need for intensive maintenance once the ship returns to port.

The Gerald R. Ford is expected to arrive at its base in Virginia in mid-May, where it will be subjected to repairs and maintenance work. Naval experts have warned that such extensive deployments could affect the ship’s future availability and put pressure on the capacity of the shipyards responsible for its overhaul.

In Congress, lawmakers have expressed concern about the operational and financial impact of keeping the aircraft carrier at sea for so long.. However, the Department of Defense has defended the decision, pointing out that it responded to strategic needs in a context of high international tension.

Lawmakers like Gil Cisneros, D-Calif., have questioned the wear and tear of both equipment and crew. “I’m worried about Ford. What concessions are we making by extending these deployments so much?” Cisneros asked during a recent hearing.

For his part, Hegseth defended the decision by ensuring that the extension was a process consulted with the Navy to guarantee national security.although he admitted that standard deployments are usually six to seven months to allow for preventive maintenance at shipyards, whose capacity is currently limited.

Meanwhile, the region remains a flashpoint for American foreign policy. Although the withdrawal of the Ford marks the beginning of a partial reduction in naval deployment, the continuity of other military assets in the area reflects that the conflict with Iran remains far from being resolved.

Keep reading:

• What is the US military deployment in the Middle East to pressure Iran and how does it compare with Venezuela?
• Iran warns US ahead of aircraft carrier arrival
• What you need to know about the “lethal” USS Gerald R. Ford, deployed near Venezuela and Colombia