“The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford will depart the Middle East and begin the sail for home in coming days, multiple U.S. officials said, an expected relief for roughly 4,500 sailors who have been deployed for 10 months—but a loss of significant firepower as peace talks between the United States and Iran stagnate,” the Washington Post reported on April 29. “It was not clear precisely when the Ford would depart the Middle East. One official said that it is probably expected back home in Virginia around mid-May.”