US air carrier USS Gerald R. Ford leaves Split port

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the U.S. Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, left waters off Split on Thursday after a planned visit and maintenance stay, the Split Port Authority confirmed.

The ship had been anchored near the city port since March 28.

The carrier arrived in Split on Saturday for a scheduled visit and technical maintenance, the US Embassy in Croatia said, adding that the stop aimed to strengthen U.S.-Croatian relations and reaffirm the NATO alliance. No media tour was organized during the visit.

The vessel had been operating in the Red Sea as part of Operation Epic Fury when a fire broke out in a laundry room on March 12. U.S. officials said the fire was quickly extinguished and did not affect combat operations. However, the carrier was withdrawn from duty about a week later and repaired at a U.S. base on the Greek island of Crete before sailing to Split.

The USS Gerald R. Ford left its home port of Norfolk in late June and is expected to return soon after an 11-month deployment.