Episode Details

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the worlds largest aircraft carrier, has set a new record for the longest deployment since the Vietnam War, surpassing the USS Abraham Lincolns previous record. The carrier, which left Norfolk, Virginia in June 2025, has been on a mission in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Middle East, including a raid in Venezuela and early engagements with Iran. However, the extended deployment has raised concerns about the mental health and well-being of the sailors, with Senator Tim Kaine criticizing the Pentagon for treating the military like a personal entourage. The Pentagon has not confirmed the record but expects the Ford to return home by late May, with the admiral in charge pushing back against stretching the deployment further. Meanwhile, the USS George H. W. Bush is heading to the Middle East, echoing Cold War-era deployments and presenting tough choices for the Navy in keeping crews sharp and ships ready.

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