ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands (December 1, 2025) – The first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), currently deployed in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, arrived in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, for a scheduled port visit, Dec. 1, 2025.
Gerald R. Ford’s visit to St. Thomas is the first port visit since entering U.S. Southern Command in support of Operation Southern Spear, operating under U.S. Fourth Fleet.
“The Sailors in our carrier strike group team have been extremely adaptable, taking our U.S. Southern Command tasking as priority number one and each doing their part to support the defense of our Homeland,” said Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, commander of Carrier Strike Group Twelve....
An MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, attached to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37, prepares for take-off on the flight deck onboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Dec. 16, 2025. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Navy photo)