US Navy C-2A Flights South of Sardinia Signal USS Ford Return Transit After 300+ Days Deployment

Early this morning, around 05:30 UTC, two US Navy C-2A Greyhound aircraft were tracked south of Sardinia heading into the central Mediterranean. The flights come just hours after a US Navy P-8A Poseidon conducted prolonged surveillance over the Sicily Channel. This activity indicates the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is now transiting westbound, returning to the United States after more than 300 days of continuous operations.

The two aircraft, callsigns RG03 and RG04, are carrier onboard delivery (COD) platforms used to transport personnel, spare parts, and mail to and from aircraft carriers. Their presence in this area is a strong indicator of ongoing carrier operations and is typically observed during key phases such as deployment or return transit.

Following yesterday’s ISR activity over the Sicily Channel, these flights complete a coherent operational picture. The USS Gerald R. Ford appears to be in the central Mediterranean, likely west of Sicily, as it begins its journey back to the United States after an extended deployment spanning the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Caribbean.

C-2A flights are directly tied to the sustainment of a carrier and its air wing. During return transits, they are often used to move personnel and equipment ahead of the carrier’s arrival or in support of ongoing operations during the crossing.