February 13, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Navy’s Top Admiral Previously Said He Would “Push Back” Against Extending USS Gerald R. Ford’s Deployment
The admiral said keeping the carrier, which was just sent to the Middle East, at sea could result in big maintenance repercussions and crew strain. The post Navy’s Top Admiral Previously Said He Would “Push Back” Against...
The decision to send the Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG) from the Caribbean to the Middle East was made after the Navy’s top officer said he would give “push back” against such an order over concerns about the welfare of the crew and the condition of the ship after being deployed for so long. The carrier departed Norfolk last June for the Mediterranean. It was later dispatched to the Caribbean last October by President Donald Trump to take part in a mission that ultimately resulted in the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.
Trump’s new deployment order for the Ford came as he is considering whether to attack Iran amid ongoing negotiations and after sending the Abraham Lincoln CSG to U.S. Central Command area of operations. “I think the Ford, from its capability perspective, would be an invaluable option for any military thing the president wants to do,” Adm.