The Caribbean Sea witnessed a significant military presence on November 16, 2025, as the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, spearheaded by the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the world’s largest aircraft carrier, navigated through the Anegada Passage and entered the region. This deployment, under the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), follows directives from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) and counter narco-terrorism, aligning with the President’s priorities to safeguard the Homeland. Admiral Alvin Holsey, Commander of SOUTHCOM, emphasized the group’s readiness to combat transnational threats, stating, ‘The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group’s deployment reinforces our resolve to protect the security of the Western Hemisphere and the safety of the American Homeland.’ The strike group will join the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and other joint forces as part of Joint Task Force Southern Spear, a mission designed to dismantle criminal networks exploiting shared borders and maritime domains. Rear Admiral Paul Lanzilotta, commander of Carrier Strike Group 12, highlighted the USS Gerald R. Ford’s capabilities as ‘the most capable, adaptable, and lethal platform in the world,’ ensuring its deployment where and when it matters most. With over 4,000 Sailors and dozens of tactical aircraft, the carrier enhances the U.S. military’s ability to project power through sustained operations. The strike group’s deployment began on June 24, 2025, with operations in the Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Circle, and Mediterranean Sea, including participation in NATO’s Neptune Strike 25-2 and 25-3 exercises. The group’s arrival in the Caribbean follows a transoceanic voyage through the Strait of Gibraltar. Accompanying the USS Gerald R. Ford are Carrier Air Wing Eight, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Bainbridge and USS Mahan, and the integrated air and missile defense command ship USS Winston S. Churchill. Operation Southern Spear, a Department of War initiative, aims to enhance security and stability across the Western Hemisphere by disrupting and degrading transnational criminal networks, reflecting the U.S. commitment to a safe and secure hemisphere.
US Announces that Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group Enters Caribbean Sea
