The USS Gerald R. Ford is preparing to leave the Middle East after more than 10 months at sea, reducing U.S. military strength in the region during the Iran conflict.
• The Ford is one of three U.S. aircraft carriers currently deployed nearby, alongside the USS George H.W. Bush and USS Abraham Lincoln.
• The carrier has been deployed for 309 days, setting a modern record for the longest stretch at sea by a U.S. aircraft carrier.
• Officials say the warship is expected back in Virginia around mid-May, where it will undergo major repairs and maintenance after heavy wear from the extended deployment.
