The USS Gerald R. Ford, the U.S. Navy’s newest and largest aircraft carrier, is heading out of the Red Sea for repairs following a significant fire in its main laundry area, U.S. officials confirmed.
The incident, which occurred while the ship supported military operations against Iran, has forced the $13 billion warship to pull back temporarily from frontline duties.
The fire started in the laundry facilities and took sailors more than 30 hours to extinguish, according to reports from The New York Times, citing sailors and military officials.
It spread extensively, damaging sleeping quarters and leaving more than 600 crew members without their bunks. Many have since slept on floors, tables, or other available spaces.
Nearly 200 sailors received treatment for smoke inhalation, and one service member was medically evacuated by helicopter for injuries described as non-life-threatening.
The Navy has emphasized that the blaze was not combat-related and caused no damage to the ship’s nuclear propulsion system, allowing it to remain fully operational at the time.
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The carrier, home to more than 5,000 sailors and over 75 aircraft, including F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters, has played a key role in U.S. strikes since operations against Iran began on February 28.
U.S. forces have conducted strikes on more than 7,000 targets in the conflict, now in its third week. The Ford, accompanied by escort ships such as the guided missile cruiser Normandy and destroyers including Thomas Hudner, Ramage, Carney, and Roosevelt, has provided air support and other capabilities from the Red Sea.
The ship has been at sea for nearly 10 months, one of the longest deployments for a U.S. aircraft carrier in recent decades. It initially deployed to the Caribbean amid tensions with Venezuela before shifting to the Middle East.
The extended time at sea has strained the crew, with reports of morale challenges and ongoing maintenance issues, including repeated problems with the ship’s plumbing systems.
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Officials said the Ford is sailing to Naval Support Activity Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete for pierside repairs. The duration of the stay remains unclear, though initial assessments will determine what work can be completed there and what may require a return to the U.S. for more extensive fixes.
The damage, combined with deferred maintenance from the prolonged deployment, could sideline the carrier for 12 to 14 months, though the Navy has not confirmed any long-term timeline beyond temporary repairs.
The incident has drawn attention to the pressures on U.S. naval forces during the ongoing conflict. The Ford’s withdrawal creates a gap in carrier presence in the region, though other assets continue operations. Replacement bedding and supplies have been arranged for the crew, but the loss of laundry facilities has added to daily hardships aboard the ship.
The event follows initial Navy statements that the carrier remained capable of its missions despite the blaze.
