US: US aircraft carrier returns to naval base in Virginia after protracted 11 months of operations (2).

RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “US DEPARTMENT OF WAR” HANDOUT —EDITORIAL USE ONLY— SHOTLIST VIRGINIA, US (RELEASED ON MAY 16, 2026) (US DEPARTMENT OF WAR - RESTRICTED) 1. USS GERALD R. FORD ARRIVING AT PORT 2. USS GERALD R. FORD CREW ON FLIGHT DECK 3. US DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH GREETING USS GERALD R. FORD CREW AND DELIVERING REMARKS 4. USS GERALD R. FORD CREW REUNITING WITH FAMILIES (2 SHOTS) 5. US DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH SPEAKING ON RADIO 6. VARIOUS OF US DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH GREETING FAMILIES AT PORT 7. VARIOUS OF USS GERALD R. FORD CREW ON FLIGHT DECK 8. US DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH SPEAKING ON RADIO 9. VARIOUS SHOTS OF US DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH MEETING USS GERALD R. FORD CREW, SPEAKING WITH SAILORS, PRESENTING MEDALS AND SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILIES AT PORT 10: (SOUNDBITE) (English) US DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH, SAYING: "I was proud to give the presidential unit citation to them for their 330 day deployment all the way around the globe. I absolute resolve epic fury. It's an incredible story and the only story that should be told today is of the heroism and the skill and the professionalism of these sailors who went three times around the globe to defend that flag right there which can only do what this strike group does. So it's a beautiful day. We're going to let the sailors get off the ship and thank you for coming to showcase it. I hope you'll showcase in its entirety the human aspect of this commitment of service to our country. It's beautiful and I'm grateful for you guys coming out to watch it. Thank you very much."VIRGINIA, US - RELEASED ON MAY 16 - RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “US DEPARTMENT OF WAR” HANDOUT —EDITORIAL USE ONLY—: The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford returned home on Saturday after an extended 11-month deployment that included operations in the Iran war and support for the mission that led to the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The USS Gerald R. Ford Strike Group arrived at its homeport at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia after spending more than 320 days at sea. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joined the families of nearly 4,500 sailors to welcome home the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group. Aircraft carriers are typically deployed for about seven months. Alongside the Ford, the destroyers USS Bainbridge and USS Mahan also returned home. “You sailed to the Mediterranean, to Europe. You thought that was your mission. And then orders changed, and you sailed to the Caribbean, and you helped ensure that foreign terrorist organizations, drugs, (and) others were put on notice,” Hegseth said aboard USS Bainbridge. During operations connected to Venezuela, the carrier launched aircraft involved in the mission to capture Maduro. In the Middle East, the ship served as a launch platform for repeated fighter jet operations during the war with Iran. “You made sure a dictator, who put on notice and brought home justice, showing the world what was possible with absolute resolve. And then when called upon again, you sailed to the Middle East to be a part of a historic mission operation, 'Epic Fury,'” Hegseth added.