The USS Gerald Ford is preparing to arrive at Souda Bay, Crete in Greece after a fire damaged parts of the aircraft carrier during operations in the Red Sea last week. The US Navy vessel is expected to undergo repair work at the US naval support base there, with officials indicating the stop will likely last longer than a week.
USNI News reported that the fire caused notable damage on board and required hours of firefighting before the crew brought the situation under control. A senior US official said the carrier will head to Naval Support Activity Souda Bay for the repair phase.
Fire aboard USS Gerald Ford led to Crete, Greece repair stop
The incident began on March 12 in the ship’s aft laundry area, setting off a broad emergency response. As firefighting teams worked through the affected section, the crew moved sailors to other parts of the carrier and temporarily disrupted some operations.
The fire also resulted in injuries. One sailor was taken for medical treatment, while two others were treated for less serious injuries. In addition, over two hundred crew members reported symptoms associated with smoke inhalation. After receiving medical care, they were able to return to duty, according to USNI News.
Navy resumes inspection as investigation moves forward
Navy officials have said recovery efforts are still underway in the areas affected by fire and smoke. A spokesperson for the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet said the crew remains focused on inspection and restoration work while investigators examine the cause of the incident.
Even with the damage, the USS Gerald R. Ford has remained active in the Red Sea, where it continues supporting missions assigned by US Central Command under Operation Epic Fury.
Smoke damage disrupted crew living conditions
Beyond the fire damage itself, smoke spread into the carrier’s sleeping quarters, creating additional logistical challenges for the crew. To help restore living conditions, the Navy transported around one thousand mattresses from the under-construction USS John F. Kennedy in Norfolk, Virginia, to replace those on the Ford.
The Navy has also assembled roughly two thousand uniforms and other clothing items for sailors, since a large part of the ship’s laundry capability remains unavailable.
Early reports on USS Gerald Ford fire clarified
Initial reviews suggested the carrier might face a lengthy and extensive repair process. Officials later clarified, however, that while damage-control efforts continued for over a day, the fire itself did not burn nonstop for thirty hours, despite what some early reports had indicated.
For now, the carrier is expected to remain in Souda Bay off Greece’s Crete for repairs as the Navy works to restore damaged sections, support the crew, and determine the cause of the fire.
