Caribbean Sea (November 16, 2025) – The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, led by the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), transited the Anegada Passage and entered the Caribbean Sea, Nov. 16.
The maritime forces’ operations in the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility come after Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, directed the Carrier Strike Group to support the President’s directive to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations and counter narco-terrorism in defense of the Homeland.
“Through unwavering commitment and the precise use of our forces, we stand ready to combat the transnational threats that seek to destabilize our region,” said Adm. Alvin Holsey, Commander, SOUTHCOM. “The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group’s deployment represents a critical step in reinforcing our resolve to protect the security of the Western Hemisphere and the safety of the American Homeland.”
The carrier strike group will join joint forces already in the Caribbean Sea, including the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and embarked marine expeditionary unit, as part of Joint Task Force Southern Spear, established to defeat and dismantle criminal networks that exploit our shared borders and maritime domains.
“Our nation’s leaders have called upon the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group as the most capable, adaptable, and lethal platform in the world to be where it matters, when it matters,” said Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, commander of Carrier Strike Group 12. “Our force will augment existing capabilities to protect our nation’s security and prosperity against narco-terrorism in the Western Hemisphere.”
With more than 4,000 Sailors and dozens of tactical aircraft aboard, Gerald R. Ford provides combatant commanders and America’s civilian leaders increased capacity to project power through sustained operations at sea. The first-in-class carrier can simultaneously catapult launch and recover fixed-wing aircraft on its flight deck, day or night, in support of tasked operations.
After departing on deployment June 24, 2025, the carrier strike group conducted multi-domain strike group operations in the Atlantic Ocean before transiting east into the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations, sailing above the Arctic Circle and throughout the Mediterranean Sea with multiple Allies and partners, participating in NATO’s Neptune Strike 25-2 and 25-3 enhanced vigilance activities, and conducting port calls in Croatia, France, Germany, Norway, and Spain. The force arrived in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility after a westbound transit through the Strait of Gibraltar, Nov. 4, and a transoceanic voyage.
Alongside Gerald R. Ford, the carrier strike group brings additional capable, lethal, and adaptable warfighting assets including the nine embarked squadrons of Carrier Air Wing Eight, Destroyer Squadron Two’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) and USS Mahan (DDG 72), and the integrated air and missile defense command ship USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81).
U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the President’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the Homeland.
Operation Southern Spear is a Department of War mission to enhance security and stability across the Western Hemisphere by detecting disrupting and degrading transnational criminal and illicit maritime networks. This operation enhances maritime domain awareness, supports regional stability, and helps prevent illicit activity from reaching the U.S. Homeland. These efforts reflect the Department’s commitment to maintaining a safe, stable, and secure hemisphere.
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Look at that picture! That’s how these aircraft carrier travel, protected by fleets of gun vessels while aircraft and helicopters Flys over and ahead periodically.
Are we gonna now witness the same massacre of innocent people in our peaceful Caribbean, like we have in the middle east, Ukraine and Africa? Senseless killings that this same US is, as they claimed against and trying to stop.What a world! Christians being saying Jesus is coming soon, we know not the day or hour, his time is his time, but is alway the right time. (Messing ones head up). But I say to the almighty there is none better time than this present time to come, cause this universe and all the people you’ve given Power too, to rule and look after your world is destroying all that you have created.
Nicolas Maduro STEP DOWN NOW!!!! America is on the way with overwhelming fire power….No weapons, planes or surface to air missiles from Russia and China can stop the Americans…The latest tech in military air power is onboard the USS GRF….Venezuelan radars will be jammed and their air force will be swatted away like helpless mosquitoes….The mighty power of the United States of America is closing in so my local folks here in Antigua, Barbuda and the rest of the region I hope you have your popcorn….The show is about to begin……….
@Carvaa: Black people are killing today more black people around the world..Look at AFrica conflicts today.. How many Black African are being murdered because the greedy of other Black African. How many Black African leaders are too greedy that becomes DIctators and persecute anyone who is against them. So Just in Sudan in the last 10 Years more than Half million Black people are being murdered. That is close to all people living in the whole Caribbean.. That is Just Sudan. In the hand of who? WHo kill them? Ohh now you are saying that USA is going to wipe out the Caribbean? stop the crap
@ Smith..They say America and Europe especially is the reason why African leaders get greedy and become dictators….They are never accountable for their actions…….
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