Washington: The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier returned to the United States on Saturday following a 326-day deployment that included a mission to the Middle East ahead of the outbreak of hostilities with Iran, the Pentagon announced.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth travelled to Norfolk to greet the crew of the vessel, which stands as the largest aircraft carrier in the world, according to a U.S. military statement published on X. The mission marked the longest deployment for an American carrier strike group since the Vietnam War.

Prior to its Middle East assignment, the Ford participated in U.S. operations in the Caribbean. During that phase, American forces targeted suspected drug-smuggling vessels, blocked sanctioned fuel tankers, and apprehended Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The carrier was subsequently rerouted to the Middle East to take part in active combat operations against Iran.

The extended deployment was marked by several onboard challenges. A fire broke out in a laundry room on March 12, injuring two sailors and causing substantial damage to approximately 100 beds, according to military officials. The aircraft carrier also reportedly experienced severe operational difficulties with its sanitation and toilet systems while deployed at sea.

With inputs from AFP