NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk-based USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier will depart on Tuesday to the U.S. Central Command's (CENTCOM) area of responsibility, CBS News reports.
The U.S. Navy said this departure is part of a regularly scheduled deployment. For reference, CENTCOM oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East and parts of Asia.
Virginia Rep. Jen Kiggans sent News 3 the following statement after the USS George H.W. Bush departed:
"As a former Naval Aviator, I am grateful for the USS George H.W. Bush and its crew as they depart on a regularly scheduled deployment. The dedication and professionalism of our sailors—and the strength and resilience of their families—represent the very best of our nation. Their service helps ensure stability around the world and reflects America’s enduring commitment to peace through strength. We are thankful for their sacrifice and stand firmly behind them as they carry out this important mission."
In a statement sent to News 3, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine said he worries about having another aircraft carrier in the area:
“Although the Bush CSG was scheduled to deploy at this time, I’m worried that deploying a third aircraft carrier to this region continues to escalate this already unnecessary conflict. We need to end President Trump’s war of choice against Iran and stop unnecessarily risking American lives.”
Brandi Jones, the wife of a Marine and organizing director at the Secure Families Initiative, knows what it is like to see a loved one deployed.
"Oh my gosh, there's so many emotions," Jones said. "There's just a lot that goes into working up to something like this."
The Secure Families Initiative, a non-partisan organization advocating for military families, created a deployment readiness toolkit. It offers guidance on how to prepare emotionally, financially, and logistically as the Bush heads out to sea.
"We don't want anyone to feel isolated in this moment and we want people to have a way of reaching out for that support all in one place," Jones said.
Meanwhile, the USS Gerald R. Ford is currently in Croatia for a port visit following a stop in Crete to undergo repairs. The repairs were needed after a fire on board in the ship's laundry area.
Both Virginia Senators — Kaine and Mark Warner — have previously said that it is time for the Ford to come home.
The exact plans for the Ford have not been announced, but a top naval official previously said it was expected to be on deployment for 11 months, which would mean it would return at some point in May.
"Even with our best ships in the world, there's reasons the deployments are normally only six or seven months," Jones said.
The USS Ross, a ship that is part of the Bush Carrier Strike Group, departed from Naval Station Norfolk on March 25. The Ross was the third ship in two days from the Bush Carrier Strike Group to deploy last week. The USS Mason and the USS Donald Cook both left from Florida on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.
Watch previous coverage: USS Ross deploys from Naval Station Norfolk
News 3 reporter Colter Anstaett covered the Ross' deployment where he got a chance to speak to the ship's captain, Cmdr. Pia Chapman. She would not say where the ship was going or how long the deployment would last.
“We won’t have a specific mission right now that I can disclose, but what I can tell you is we’re ready for whatever comes our way," Chapman said last week.
Watch previous coverage: Neighbors near Naval Station Norfolk react to US and Israeli strikes on Iran
This comes as the Ford could break a record for the longest carrier deployment post-Vietnam if it remains deployed through mid-April, according to USNI News.
The Ford initially left for deployment to the European theater of operations on June 24, 2025. In November 2025, the Ford moved to waters near Venezuela to support U.S. military operations in the area. Then, in February, President Donald Trump said he was sending the carrier strike group to the Middle East to apply more pressure on Iran.
Retired Vice Adm. Herman Shelanski previously spoke to News 3 regarding the possibility of the Bush Carrier Strike Group relieving the Ford Carrier Strike Group.
"So it's possible, if this looks like it's going to be extended for more than a couple of weeks, and I know that George Bush is getting ready to deploy. And it would be the one probably to go out and replace the Ford to give them the relief that they need to come home," Shelanski said.
Watch previous coverage: USS Gerald R. Ford moves away from Iran war for repairs after fire, CNN reports
On March 18, CNN reported that a U.S. official said the Ford would be at Souda Bay in Crete “for a brief period to conduct repairs,” which would determine what can be fixed immediately and what may need to be fixed when the ship goes back to its home port after its deployment. The other ships within the Ford Carrier Strike Group are remaining where they are in the region and did not join the Ford at Souda Bay.
As of Monday, there has been no official confirmation on whether the Ford Carrier Strike Group will be relieved upon the Bush's arrival.
The Bush Carrier Strike Group last deployed in 2022.
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