USS Gerald R. Ford’s Fighter Squadrons From CVW-8 Have Returned Home

BusinessAerospace & DefenseUSS Gerald R. Ford’s Fighter Squadrons From CVW-8 Have Returned HomeByPeter Suciu,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Peter Suciu covers trends in the world of aerospace and defense.Follow AuthorMay 13, 2026, 08:47am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37, the “Ragin’ Bulls,” returned to Naval Air Station Oceana, May 11, 2026(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cierra Middleton).Although the United States Navy’s newest and largest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), may not arrive at Naval Station Norfolk until later this month, on Monday, six squadrons of the warship’s embarked aircraft returned to the base and to Naval Air Station Oceana.Naval Air Force Atlantic announced in a post on social media that Strike Fighter Squadron 213 (VFA-213) “Black Lions,” VFA-37 “Ragin’ Bulls,” VFA-87 “Golden Warriors,” and VFA-31 “Tomcatters” returned to NS Oceana. Airborne Command and Control Squadron 124 (VAW-124)“Bear Aces,” and Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 (VRC-40) “Rawhides” landed at Naval Station Norfolk.The embarked squadrons deployed with the USS Gerald R. Ford for 11 months and were assigned to Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8).As of Wednesday, CVN-78 has been at sea for 323 days, the longest deployment of a United States aircraft carrier since the Vietnam War, and the longest deployment of a nuclear-powered supercarrier ever.During the nearly year-long mission, the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG-12) operated in the U.S. 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Fleets’ area of responsibility.More Than 5,500 Flight HoursThe squadrons logged more than 5,500 flight hours in support of Operation Epic Fury and conducted more than 11,800 launches throughout the 2025-26 deployment.In addition to operations in the Middle East this winter and sprin...