The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the lead ship of the U.S. Navy's newest class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, is currently on a record-breaking deployment that has exceeded 280 days and is anticipated to last nearly 11 months. This deployment, which began in June 2025, marks the longest carrier deployment since the Vietnam War and is a key element of U.S. military strategy in the Mediterranean and against Iran. After a brief repair period in Croatia due to a non-combat fire, the Ford resumed full operational duty to support Operation Epic Fury. It serves as the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 12, which includes Carrier Air Wing 8 and the destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill. Under President Donald Trump's administration, the Ford has been a focal point for demonstrating U.S. military might and has participated in joint operations with Israel against Iran. The ship is equipped with advanced technologies, including the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, and has a capacity for 75 to 90+ aircraft. As the Ford prepares to surpass the previous record set by the USS Nimitz at 341 days, its deployment underscores the ongoing military commitments of the United States in a complex global landscape.