USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) in the Mediterranean Sea | Operation Epic Fury

As of March 7, 2026, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is a central player in Operation Epic Fury, a major joint military campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iran. Initially operating in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Ford has recently transitioned through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea to increase pressure on Iranian naval and coastal assets. The Ford serves as the "Western Front" anchor for the operation, working in tandem with the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is positioned in the Arabian Sea. Together, they effectively "sandwich" Iranian territory. Primary Platform: Utilizing its Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), the Ford is maintaining a high tempo of sorties, launching F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and E/A-18G Growlers. Mission Objectives: Strikes are focused on Iranian command-and-control centers, integrated air defense systems (IADS), and ballistic missile sites. Note: There are reports that a third carrier, the USS George H.W. Bush, is preparing to join the theater, which would mark the first time three U.S. nuclear carriers have been concentrated in the region simultaneously since the start of the Iraq War.