Aircraft carrier suffers fire damage, injuring sailors and displacing crew during deployment.
The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier is heading to Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete for pierside repairs after a major fire on March 12 2026.
The blaze started in the ships main laundry spaces while the carrier operated in the Red Sea supporting Operation Epic Fury. It was not combat related. Crews fought the fire for over 30 hours as smoke spread to berthing areas.
At least three sailors were injured one of whom was medically evacuated in stable condition. The damage displaced more than 600 sailors many now sleeping on floors or tables.
Laundry systems were knocked out leaving the crew without clean clothes or linens. The ships propulsion remained unaffected and the carrier stayed fully operational.
The Ford is in its tenth month of deployment. It will undergo repairs to berthing and laundry areas plus resupply upon arrival in Crete. An investigation into the fire is ongoing.
Fires at sea pose a serious risk on carriers with nearly 5000 personnel but Navy officials say the ship remains mission capable.
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