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The USS Gerald R. Ford made its first port of call in the Caribbean this morning, visiting St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, its commander citing a need for rest and recuperation amid growing tensions and the US’ Southern Spear operations in the region.

Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, commander of Carrier Strike Group Twelve has said that the strike group team had made its US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) posting its number one priority in defence of the US homeland.

“Our port visit in St. Thomas gives us the rest and recuperation we need to continue the mission of upholding law and order across the Western Hemisphere in support of the President’s priorities,” he said in a release posted by the US Navy today.