U.S. "Ford" Aircraft Carrier Arrives at Croatian Port
Xinhua News Agency, Zagreb, March 28 (Reporter Ma Zhen) The Croatian Ministry of Defense announced on its official social media account on the 28th that the U.S. Navy's USS Ford nuclear-powered aircraft carrier entered the waters of the Croatian port of Split on the same day.
The Croatian Ministry of Defense stated that the Croatian government had previously approved the entry of the aircraft carrier into Croatian internal waters and its docking at Split port. The arrival of the USS Ford in Split is part of its visit to the port and maintenance schedule.
The USS Ford was commissioned in 2017 and is the lead ship of the U.S. Navy's latest generation of Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. It has been continuously deployed at sea for about nine months since June 2025, participating in U.S. military operations against Venezuela and Iran. Earlier this month, it was forced to withdraw from the Middle East combat zone due to a fire in the ship's laundry.
USS Gerald R. Ford entered Split port in Croatia on March 28, 2023, for maintenance as part of its operational schedule. The Croatian government had approved the carrier's entry into its waters. The USS Ford, the lead ship of its class, has been deployed for about nine months and has previously engaged in military operations against Venezuela and Iran.
- USS Gerald R. Ford entered Split port on March 28, 2023.
- The Croatian government approved the carrier's entry into its waters.
- The visit is part of a maintenance plan for the USS Ford.
- USS Ford has been deployed at sea for approximately 9 months since June 2025.
- The carrier previously participated in military operations against Venezuela and Iran.