The US military forces have carried out a successful maritime interdiction mission in the Caribbean Sea that highlighted the capabilities of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).
The mission, part of a broader effort called Operation Southern Spear, involved Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear. The teams worked with the US Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security, and boarded and seized the tanker Veronica.
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Advanced capabilities, unwavering resolve: The Jan. 15 apprehension of Motor Tanker Veronica in the Caribbean again exemplified the strength and precision of the Navy-Marine Corps team. The Marines and Sailors of Joint Task Force Southern Spear worked seamlessly with @dhs_gov ,… pic.twitter.com/gayImWY7Pp
The event happened in a pre-dawn action on January 15, 2025. According to the officials, the tanker was taken without incident after it was found to be operating in defiance of US directives designed to enforce maritime sanctions in the region.
Personnel involved in the interdiction launched from the USS Gerald R. Ford, which serves as the centerpiece of the US Navy’s carrier strike group. The carrier’s presence and support showed how the US combines air, sea, and special operations forces in coordinated efforts.
The operation was backed by an Amphibious Ready Group, including ships like USS Iwo Jima, USS San Antonio, and USS Fort Lauderdale, adding additional manpower and capabilities to the effort.
The interception of the Veronica marks the sixth sanctioned vessel seized by US forces in recent weeks as part of ongoing efforts to enforce sanctions and combat illicit maritime activity in the Caribbean.
Officials say the goal is to ensure that only legally authorized oil shipments move through Caribbean waters.