USS Gerald R. Ford to transit Strait of Gibraltar into Mediterranean

USS Gerald R. Ford prepares for Gibraltar transit

The world’s largest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is finalizing preparations to transit the Strait of Gibraltar. The carrier and its strike group are currently operating in the eastern Atlantic near Morocco's western coast.

Air tracking sources recently detected a US Navy Grumman C-2A Greyhound logistics plane returning to the carrier from Spain's Naval Station Rota. This movement confirms the strike group has not yet officially begun its passage into the Mediterranean Sea.

Strike group makes final adjustments

The carrier strike group is conducting last-minute coordination before its strategic transit. One of its escort ships, the destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG-96), made a technical stop at Rota.

Analyst Agustín de la Poza confirmed the stop, noting it is likely for refueling, maintenance, or operational coordination. The full strike group consists of the Ford and three destroyers: the Bainbridge, the USS Mahan (DDG-72), and the USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81).

The presence of a destroyer in port while the carrier's air wing remains active indicates the group has not yet completed its final regrouping. Such technical stops are standard procedure before a major strategic movement.

Deployment is part of major US buildup

This transit is not a routine deployment. It is part of a massive reinforcement of US military assets in the Middle East ordered by the White House. The Pentagon has concentrated substantial firepower in the region, including:

• Two carrier strike groups
• More than 50 additional fighter jets
• Strategic bombers on alert status
• Patriot and THAAD missile defense systems

The White House has stated the Ford is heading toward the coast of Israel. From there, it could bolster air defense against potential Iranian missile attacks or assume an offensive posture in the Gulf of Oman if military action is ordered.

Movement occurs amid high tensions with Iran

The carrier's movement comes as President Donald Trump evaluates authorizing military strikes against Iran in the coming days. Indirect talks between the two nations are ongoing, but the situation remains volatile.

Israel has intensified its own preparations in response to the escalating tensions. The country's security cabinet has rescheduled key meetings, anticipating the possibility of a joint military operation.

This will be the Ford's second transit of the Strait of Gibraltar in recent months. In November 2025, it passed through westward en route to the Caribbean for Operation "Southern Spear." The current geopolitical context, however, is radically different.

Crossing is a matter of hours

Maritime and air tracking data indicates the carrier strike group remains in the eastern Atlantic, finalizing its preparations. The transit through the Strait of Gibraltar has not yet occurred, but all signs point to it being a matter of hours.

When it happens, the world's largest warship will pass through one of the planet's most strategic maritime chokepoints. It will be heading toward a region where diplomacy and the threat of open conflict are now in a race against time.