US aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford enters waters off Split

This is the second visit of a US aircraft carrier to Croatia, following USS Gerald R. Ford's first call in Split in June 2023. Named after the 38th US president, Gerald Rudolph Ford, the carrier is homeported in Norfolk, Virginia.

The ship is 333 metres long, with a hull width of 41 metres and a flight deck spanning 78 metres. It has a draught of 15 metres, displaces around 100,000 tonnes and can carry up to 75 aircraft. According to the statement, around 5,000 crew members were on board during the visit.

The visit is part of the carrier's deployment in the US 6th Fleet area of operations, which supports combat readiness and maritime security of US naval forces in Europe and Africa and strengthens US, allied, and partner commitments to stability and security in Europe.

"Routine port visits like this strengthen defense partnerships and reflect the close relationship between the United States and Croatia, a valued NATO ally," the US Embassy said on Monday.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is the largest warship ever built. Construction cost $12.8 billion, with an additional $4.7 billion spent on research and development.

It carries advanced deck-based aircraft, including F-35C Lightning II and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye early warning and reconnaissance planes, EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft, multi-role MH-60R/S helicopters and various unmanned aerial vehicles.