The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the largest warship of its type currently in operation in the world, has returned to anchor in the port of Split, Croatia, after transiting the Adriatic Sea from Souda Bay, Greece.
The new stop comes amid the extended deployment of the ship’s strike group in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.
Before arriving on the Croatian coast, the vessel made a working stop in Souda Bay between March 23 and 26, carrying out resupply, refueling, and repair activities. According to U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, this is the Gerald R. Ford’s second visit to Split during the current mission. The first took place between October 21 and 26, 2025.
According to Captain David Skarosi, commanding officer of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the return to Split also represents a moment of rest for the crew after months of continuous operations. He noted that the team has carried out a series of missions since its first visit to the Croatian city and again thanked the local community for welcoming the American contingent.
The stop in Souda Bay also had technical significance. Teams from the Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center, including structural engineers, naval architects, and other specialists, conducted a repair assessment onboard. During the same period, U.S. military personnel and federal civilian agents continued investigations into a fire that occurred on the ship, originating in the laundry facilities.
The statement also notes that ship crews and local industry partners supported the recovery of seven berthing compartments affected by the fire. The operational stop in Greece therefore combined logistical support, corrective maintenance, and continued investigation into the incident.
The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group departed Naval Station Norfolk on June 24, 2025, and has since conducted operations across multiple theaters, including the Arctic Circle, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Red Sea. The group consists of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, Carrier Air Wing 8, Destroyer Squadron Two, and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81).
Currently, the group operates in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility as one of the primary instruments of U.S. naval power projection in the European and Mediterranean theater. The presence of the Ford and its escort reinforces the U.S. strategy of deterrence, expeditionary readiness, and maintenance of freedom of navigation in regions considered sensitive for regional security and NATO interests.
Source and images: U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
