The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) arrived at Souda Bay today, February 23, 2026, it isn’t traveling alone. It is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG-12), which typically includes a mix of guided-missile cruisers and destroyers.
The strike group has been “tailored” for this high-stakes deployment to the Mediterranean and Middle East.
Here are the key escorts currently operating with the Ford (Identified Escorts, February 2026)
- USS Mahan (DDG-72): Specifically confirmed to have transited the Strait of Gibraltar alongside the Ford on February 20. It is a Flight II Arleigh Burke-class destroyer capable of advanced air defense and ballistic missile tracking.
- USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81): A permanent member of CSG-12 that has been sailing with the Ford since the deployment began. It is a Flight IIA destroyer, featuring hangars for two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.
- USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116): Reported to be part of the group’s eastern Mediterranean presence. The Hudner has a history of high-activity service in this region, having intercepted drones in the Red Sea during previous tensions.
- Spanish Navy Frigate (Santa Maria-class): Eyewitnesses reported at least one Spanish frigate providing an additional layer of escort as the group entered the Mediterranean, highlighting the multinational cooperation of the mission.
What’s Next for the Group?
After the supply stop in Crete, the entire strike group is expected to push toward the Eastern Mediterranean or the Red Sea. Their arrival will increase the total number of U.S. warships in the immediate Middle East theater to 17, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group already on station.
