World’s largest warship USS Gerald R. Ford reaches Croatia

March 30, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

The world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), anchored in the Port of Split, Croatia, on March 28, 2026.

The vessel arrived in Croatia following an Adriatic Sea transit from Souda Bay, Greece, where the ship conducted a working port to resupply, refuel, and conduct repairs.

While in Souda Bay, Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center personnel, including structural engineers, naval architects, and other subject matter experts, conducted a repair assessment, and military and federal civilian law enforcement continued investigations into a fire aboard the ship originating in the ship’s laundry facilities. Ship’s force personnel and local industry partners supported the rehabilitation of seven berthing compartments affected by the fire.

USS Gerald R. Ford pulls into Souda Bay for repairs after Red Sea fire

Vessels

This is Gerald R. Ford’s second visit to Split, Croatia, during its ongoing deployment. The ship originally visited the Dalmatian city Oct. 21-26, 2025.

“The crew is excited to be back in Split for some well-deserved liberty,” said Capt. 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.”

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group departed on deployment from Naval Station Norfolk on June 24, 2025, conducting operations from the Arctic Circle, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Red Sea.

Carrier Strike Group Twelve, including flagship USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Carrier Air Wing 8, Destroyer Squadron Two, and Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), is deployed to the US 6th Fleet area of operations.