NORFOLK, Va. — The Navy's USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group this week passed the 200-day mark for its current deployment.
When the Ford team shipped out of Norfolk back on May 2 for the aircraft carrier's first full deployment, the Navy did not offer a specific timetable for the ships' return--leaving it open-ended.
But, with the arrival of Thanksgiving on Thursday, it will mark six months and three weeks since the deployment began, raising the question of when the deployment might end?
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It remains unclear when the Ford, its escort ships and the 5,000 sailors and Marines onboard will be able to come home.
On October 17, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered Ford's initial deployment extension, 10 days after Hamas attacked Israel,
The original plan was for the Norfolk-based USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group to relieve Ford in the Mediterranean this fall,
But the Ike team has now been sent to the Middle Eastern waters of U.S. Central Command.
So, for the Ford, a Thanksgiving return is now obviously out of the question.
But, what about Christmas? Or beyond?
Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrinia Singh this week was vague.
"In terms of the Ford deployment, she remains on station, and I have no announcements to make on her movement," she said. "When the Secretary feels that the Ford is ready to rotate out, we will certainly let you know. But, as of this moment, she remains on station in the Eastern Med."
In addition to the Ike and Ford carrier strike groups, the U-S has also sent the Norfolk-based USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group.
It includes the Little Creek based USS Carter Hall and the Norfolk-based USS Mesa Verde.