USS Gerald R. Ford Departs Croatia; Ready for Full Mission Tasking
Key Takeaways
- USS Gerald R. Ford departed Split, Croatia after a five-day repair visit.
- Fire in laundry/berthing prompted repairs and potential move to Crete for further fixes.
- Navy says ship ready for full mission tasking and may rejoin Middle East operations.
Carrier Departs After Five-Day Visit
The USS Gerald R. Ford departed Split after a five-day visit completing scheduled repairs and receiving supplies.
“US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R”
The carrier returns to full operational duty weeks after a shipboard fire injured three sailors and displaced 600 crew.
The fire is still under investigation, led by NCIS with ATF assistance.
It is unclear where the Ford will go next or whether it will return to the Middle East.
Fire Caused Extensive Damage
The fire started in the main laundry areas and spread to nearby berthing compartments.
About 600 sailors' beds were damaged, displacing roughly 13% of the 4,500 crew.
The Navy transferred 1,000 mattresses from USS John F. Kennedy to Ford.
The fire was not combat-related.
11-Month Deployment Nears Record
The strike group departed Norfolk on June 24, 2025.
The 282-day deployment is nearing an 11-month record.
Ford had been operating in the Red Sea supporting Operation Epic Fury before the fire.
The George H.W. Bush is also heading to the Middle East.
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