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....
Sailors assigned to the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), compete in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the hangar bay, Aug. 29, 2025. Gerald R. Ford, a first-in-class aircraft carrier and deployed flagship of Carrier Strike Group Twelve, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support the warfighting effectiveness, lethality and readiness of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and defend U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tajh Payne)
