The USS Gerald R. Ford, the US Navy’s premier nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is being rerouted to Crete for extensive repairs following a significant onboard fire that injured personnel and caused substantial damage. According to US officials, the vessel will proceed to Naval Support Activity Souda Bay for pierside restoration after a blaze erupted in its laundry facility last week, requiring several hours to fully extinguish.
This incident represents the latest in a series of operational challenges for the world’s largest warship during its prolonged Middle Eastern deployment. More than 200 crew members required medical assessment for smoke inhalation, with one sailor medically evacuated in stable condition and two others treated for minor injuries. The fire triggered a major damage control response as personnel worked to contain the blaze and prevent its spread throughout the vessel.
Substantial smoke damage has rendered over 100 sleeping quarters unusable, necessitating the provision of replacement cots, mattresses, and clothing after the destruction of laundry facilities. Despite these setbacks, a US Fifth Fleet spokesperson confirmed the ship remains operationally capable while investigations into the fire’s cause continue.
The $13 billion vessel’s deployment has drawn congressional scrutiny regarding its extended duration. Senator Mark Warner, vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, criticized the extended mission, stating the carrier and its crew have been ‘pushed to the brink after nearly a year at sea.’ The New York Times reports the Ford is expected to be relieved by the USS George H.W. Bush following repairs expected to exceed one week.
The Ford’s deployment, initially focused on Caribbean operations amid tensions with Venezuela before redirecting to the Middle East in February, has included participation in US-Israeli military actions against Iran. The carrier previously experienced technical difficulties with its toilet system in January, requiring ongoing maintenance interventions. If the deployment continues beyond mid-April, it would exceed the post-Vietnam War record for US aircraft carrier deployment duration set by the USS Abraham Lincoln in 2020.