US aircraft carrier to sail to Crete for repairs after fire on board

March 19, 2026

The USS Gerald R Ford, the US Navy's most advanced aircraft carrier, is heading to Crete for repairs following a serious fire in its laundry facility that injured crew members and rendered over 100 sleeping quarters unusable. The fire, which occurred on March 2nd and took several hours to control, resulted in one sailor being medically evacuated and more than 200 assessed for smoke inhalation. This incident adds to ongoing operational challenges during the vessel's nearly nine-month deployment, which has already included toilet system malfunctions and is approaching record length for carrier deployments since the Vietnam War.

Who is affected

More than 200 USS Gerald R Ford crew members assessed for smoke inhalation
One sailor medically evacuated (in stable condition)
Two sailors treated for minor injuries
More than 100 crew members whose sleeping quarters became unusable
Senator Mark Warner (Senate Intelligence Committee vice chair)
The USS Gerald R Ford vessel itself
USS George H.W Bush crew (expected relief carrier)

What action is being taken

The USS Gerald R Ford is traveling to Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Crete for pierside repairs
Sailors are working damage control to ensure the fire has not spread to other parts of the ship
Replacement cots, additional mattresses, and clothing are being sent to the ship
The cause of the fire is being investigated
The ship is maintaining operational status

Why it matters

This incident matters because it affects the operational capability of the US Navy's most advanced and expensive ($13 billion) aircraft carrier during active Middle East operations against Iran. The extended deployment, approaching post-Vietnam War records if it continues beyond mid-April, raises concerns about crew welfare and military readiness. The fire damage and ongoing mechanical issues highlight potential vulnerabilities in the Navy's newest warship technology and illustrate the human and material costs of prolonged military deployments on both personnel health and equipment reliability.

What's next

The Ford will undergo more than a week of repairs at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Crete
The USS George H.W Bush is expected to relieve the USS Gerald R Ford

Read full article from source: BBC