The Gerald R. Ford facilitated the operation to detain Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and also actively participated in military actions by the U.S. and Israel against Iran. During this operation, a fire occurred in the ship's laundry, which required repairs. The construction of the ship cost $13 billion, and it was the first to use new technologies such as the electromagnetic catapult. The prolonged time at sea allowed for testing both the operation of these systems and the crew's ability to handle the workload. "What this carrier group has done is simply incredible! Phenomenal!" said Defense Minister Pete Hegseth at the ship's homecoming ceremony. According to military experts, the record deployment of the Gerald R. Ford was an important test for the new generation of American aircraft carriers. The U.S. effectively tested both the capabilities of the latest technologies and the fleet's ability to maintain a prolonged presence in key regions of the world.