The U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford has arrived in Split, Croatia, during its ongoing deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, following a transit from Greece where the ship underwent resupply, refuelling and repair activity, according to the U.S. Navy.
The carrier, the largest warship in the world, anchored in the Adriatic port on 29 March after departing Souda Bay, where it conducted a working port visit between 23 and 26 March. That period included logistics support as well as maintenance activity ahead of continued operations.
This marks the second visit by Gerald R. Ford to Split during the current deployment, having previously called at the Croatian city in October 2025. During that earlier visit, the ship hosted U.S. Ambassador to Croatia Nicole McGraw.
“The crew is excited to be back in Split for some well-deserved liberty,” said Captain David Skarosi, commanding officer of Gerald R. Ford. “They have accomplished so much since our initial visit in October. We are extremely thankful to the Croatian community for opening their historic and beautiful city of Split to us once again.”
While in Souda Bay, Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center personnel, including engineers and naval specialists, carried out a repair assessment following a fire aboard the ship. Investigations into the incident, which originated in the vessel’s laundry facilities, are ongoing. Ship’s company and local industry partners also supported repairs to seven berthing compartments affected by the fire.
The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group has been deployed since June 2025, when it departed Naval Station Norfolk. Since then, it has operated across multiple theatres, including the Arctic, Mediterranean, Caribbean and Red Sea, supporting a range of joint and combined missions.
The strike group includes Carrier Air Wing 8, Destroyer Squadron Two and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill, and remains deployed as part of the U.S. Navy’s forward presence in Europe. The U.S. Navy said the group operates as part of wider efforts to deter aggression and maintain maritime security across the region.
