{"id":81306,"date":"2026-05-13T22:15:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T22:15:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2026\/05\/13\/uss-gerald-r-ford-air-wing-returns-home-after-11-months\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T17:14:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T17:14:11","slug":"uss-gerald-r-ford-air-wing-returns-home-after-11-months","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2026\/05\/13\/uss-gerald-r-ford-air-wing-returns-home-after-11-months\/","title":{"rendered":"USS Gerald R. Ford air wing returns home after 11 months"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Jets and helicopters assigned to the world\u2019s largest aircraft carrier finally returned to the U.S. on Monday after a historically long deployment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aircraft from the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group\u2019s Carrier Air Wing 8 arrived at their home naval air stations after deploying to U.S. Central Command, U.S. European Command and U.S. Southern Command area of responsibilities over a 322-day stretch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe officers and sailors of Carrier Air Wing 8 have served their nation with distinction,\u201d Rear Adm. Rich Brophy, the commander of Naval Air Force Atlantic, said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThroughout their record-breaking deployment, these aviators successfully conducted worldwide operations, embodying the highest ideals of resilience, courage and selfless service to the nation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The carrier strike group deployed in support of Operation Epic Fury in the Middle East and participated in combat operations for Operation Southern Spear and Operation Absolute Resolve in the Caribbean Sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\t