US Navy's USS Gerald R. Ford Heads to Crete for Repairs After Onboard Fire

The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, the world's largest and most expensive warship at $13 billion, has been forced to withdraw from its operational deployment in the Red Sea to undergo emergency repairs after a major fire broke out in the vessel's laundry area on March 12, 2026.

“- Published The US Navy's most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, is preparing to leave the Red Sea for repairs in Crete after a fire on board injured sailors and caused significant damage, US officials have said”

BBC

The incident occurred as the carrier was supporting US military operations against Iran, forcing the departure of one of America's most advanced warships from the region during ongoing military engagements.

BBC

US Central Command clarified that the fire was 'not combat-related' and was contained to the ship's main laundry spaces, though the damage control response disrupted operations throughout the vessel.

The carrier will head to Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Crete for more than a week of repairs, according to a senior US official confirmed by US Naval Institute News, highlighting the strategic importance of US naval facilities on allied territory amid regional tensions.

The onboard fire has had severe consequences for the carrier's crew, with over 600 sailors losing their berthing spaces and being forced to sleep on floors and tables while repairs are organized.

According to multiple sources, sailors took more than 30 hours to bring the fire under control, with the blaze spreading into the carrier's sleeping quarters and creating additional logistical challenges.

CNN

The incident resulted in significant injuries, with at least two sailors receiving medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and nearly 200 sailors being treated for smoke-related injuries after the fire broke out in the ship's main laundry area.

One service member was evacuated with injuries, while over two hundred crew members reported symptoms associated with smoke inhalation, though they were able to return to duty after receiving medical care, as reported by USNI News and other outlets.

The USS Gerald R. Ford's extended deployment has raised serious concerns about crew morale and operational strain, as the vessel has been at sea for nearly nine months since leaving the US in June 2025.

“The American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R”

Cyprus Mail

This prolonged deployment far exceeds the usual six-month tour and has drawn criticism from Senator Mark Warner, who stated that the crew had been 'pushed to the brink' after nearly a year at sea.

Beyond the recent fire, the carrier has faced persistent technical issues, particularly with its toilet systems, with US media reporting clogged systems and long queues onboard.

A 2020 report by the US Government Accountability Office had noted that the system required frequent maintenance, including costly acid flushes.

Despite these challenges, the US Navy maintains that its personnel continue to operate effectively in 'dynamic environments' and that maintenance demands had decreased over time, though conditions on the 100,000-ton vessel were described as 'far from ideal' for the 4,500 personnel on board.

The fire incident has significant strategic implications for US naval operations in the Middle East, as the USS Gerald R. Ford was serving as a ready platform for American fighter jets participating in the campaign against Iran.

The carrier's departure creates a temporary gap in US naval presence in the Red Sea, though the Pentagon has indicated that the other ships within the Ford Carrier Strike Group will remain in the region.

Defence Security Asia

Greek daily Kathimerini reported that the aircraft carrier is expected to return to Crete next week, where it previously spent four days resupplying at Souda Bay last February before heading to the eastern Mediterranean.

The repair stop highlights the strategic importance of US naval facilities on allied territory, particularly as regional tensions show no signs of abating with Iran continuing retaliatory strikes targeting American assets across the Gulf.

The Ford had been operating in support of US operations against Venezuela when President Donald Trump ordered it to the Middle East ahead of the Iran campaign, and its deployment has been extended since it left the US.

The USS Gerald R. Ford's presence in Greek waters has sparked local opposition, with unions and peace groups expressing concern about the ship's involvement in military operations.

“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”

Greek Reporter

In Chania, the Chania Peace Committee has called for a rally on Friday demanding disengagement from military missions and closure of bases.

Greek Reporter

To help restore living conditions after the fire, the Navy has transported around one thousand mattresses from the under-construction USS John F. Kennedy in Norfolk, Virginia, to replace those on the Ford, and 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.

According to Cyprus Mail, the vessel is not expected to resume operations in the Middle East after repairs in Souda and will return to the United States, suggesting that this may be the end of its extended deployment.

The fire damage was estimated to have affected around 100 sleeping berths, though officials clarified that the vessel remained operational with no impact on propulsion systems.