The USS Gerald R. Ford, America's newest and largest aircraft carrier, is preparing to dock in Souda Bay, Crete for temporary repairs following a fire onboard that injured nearly 200 sailors and caused significant damage to its laundry facilities.
Key Takeaways
The USS Gerald R. Ford will temporarily dock in Souda Bay, Crete for repairs after a fire injured nearly 200 sailors and damaged its laundry facilities.
- Fire broke out in the ship's main laundry area on March 2
- Nearly 200 sailors treated for smoke inhalation; one airlifted off the ship
- Damage affected roughly 100 sleeping berths, with replacement cots arranged
- Ship remains operational but will undergo repairs at a US Navy base in Crete
- Extended deployment has raised concerns about crew morale and readiness
According to multiple reports, the blaze broke out on March 2 in the ship's main laundry area and took hours to extinguish. Roughly 100 sleeping berths were affected by smoke damage, with replacement cots arranged for displaced crew members. One service member was airlifted off the ship due to injuries sustained during the incident.
The Pentagon confirmed that there was no damage to the ship's propulsion plant and that the aircraft carrier remained fully operational. The USS Gerald R Ford carries more than 75 military aircraft and operates a sophisticated radar system for air traffic control and navigation. The carrier has participated in strikes against Iran since February 28, targeting over 7,000 locations.
The extended deployment of the USS Gerald R Ford has raised concerns about crew morale and readiness. Senator Mark Warner sharply criticized the prolonged deployment, stating that the ship and its crew have been pushed to the brink due to President Donald Trump's military decisions. The Navy acknowledged reports of toilet problems on the ship but asserted that clog incidents are addressed promptly with minimal downtime.
The withdrawal of the Ford would leave a significant gap in US forces in the region, where the dozens of warplanes it carries have taken part in more than two weeks of strikes against Iran. Another carrier — the USS George H.W. Bush — is preparing to deploy to the Middle East.
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