HMS Queen Elizabeth was supposed to lead a large NATO exercise. The USS Gerald R. Ford returned home on Jan. 17. The secretary of the Navy announced the sea service will name a new destroyer after a WWII hero aptly referred to as the 'Human Tugboat.' With the Osprey out of commission, officials say carriers have other options for ferrying people and supplies on and off the ships. Early Ford-class maintenance costs are lower than expected, meaning the aircraft carriers could save more than predicted compared to the Nimitz class. The carrier and its armada left the East Coast in May. The Eisenhower’s presence in the region marks the first time a carrier has operated in Central Command’s area of responsibility since 2021. Ike will be the first U.S. aircraft carrier to operate in the Middle Eastern waters of U.S. Central Command since the end of the Afghanistan war in 2021. Construction delays on carrier Enterprise are one factor in ongoing discussions about when to sign a contract for the next two carriers, 82 and 83. Dwight D. Eisenhower's arrival in CENTCOM waters will mark the first time a carrier has operated in those Middle Eastern waters since 2021. Load More