USS Gerald R. Ford to Leave Eastern Mediterranean, USS Bataan to Take Over

The move comes after months of the Ford providing protection for Israel following Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks, with the Eisenhower remaining in the region amid ongoing attacks on commercial vessels.

The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group, which has been providing protection for Israel in the Eastern Mediterranean, is set to return to its home port in Norfolk, Virginia.
The Ford will be replaced by the amphibious assault ship the USS Bataan and its accompanying warships, the USS Mesa Verde and the USS Carter Hall.
The Ford was deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean following Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks on Israel and has been part of a two-carrier presence alongside the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The Eisenhower will remain in the region, recently patrolling near the Gulf of Aden, where commercial vessels have come under attack.
On Sunday, helicopters from the Eisenhower responded to a distress call from a commercial vessel under attack by Houthi small boats, sinking three of the four boats and killing their crews.