The U.S. Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), is heading to Souda Naval Base in Crete following a fire aboard the vessel that damaged onboard facilities and disrupted living conditions for hundreds of sailors.
The carrier is departing its position in the northern Red Sea and returning to Crete for refueling and further inspection.
Fire damages ship facilities
According to U.S. Central Command, the fire originated in the ship’s laundry spaces on March 12.
Nearly 200 sailors were treated for smoke inhalation. One sailor was medically evacuated and is in stable condition.
Reports indicate the fire caused significant damage to living areas, leaving more than 600 sailors without proper sleeping accommodations.
Displaced crew members have been sleeping on floors and tables in other parts of the ship. The loss of laundry facilities also forced the Navy to issue more than 2,000 sweatsuits to sailors who were unable to wash their clothing.
Investigation underway
The Navy is investigating the cause of the fire.
According to multiple reports, investigators are examining whether the fire could have been deliberately set by crew members as an act of sabotage tied to low morale from repeated deployment extensions.
There is no confirmed evidence supporting that claim. Some defense officials and experts say the fire may have been accidental, potentially caused by deferred maintenance or issues with laundry equipment, such as smoldering lint in ventilation ducts.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Context: fatigue and past incidents
The speculation comes amid reports of crew fatigue tied to extended deployments in the Middle East, where U.S. forces have conducted lightning naval and air strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Ford has been at sea for since June 2025 and is approaching a record for the longest carrier deployment since the Vietnam War.
Navy leadership has signaled that the deployment will likely extend into May 2026, totaling roughly 11 months at sea.
The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) remains in the region to maintain operations while the Ford undergoes repairs.
The situation has drawn comparisons to past incidents, including the 2020 fire aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard, which was later determined to be arson.
About the USS Gerald R. Ford
The USS Gerald R. Ford is the lead ship of the Navy’s newest class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and represents a major technological advancement over the Nimitz-class.
Commissioned in 2017, the carrier features:
- Increased aircraft sortie generation rates
- Advanced electromagnetic launch systems
- Reduced crew requirements
- Enhanced electrical capacity for future weapons systems
The ship can carry approximately 75 to 90 aircraft, including:
- F/A-18 Super Hornets
- F-35C Lightning II fighters
- EA-18G Growlers
- E-2D Hawkeye aircraft
- Helicopters and support aircraft
Its capabilities make it a central asset in U.S. naval operations in the Red Sea and surrounding region.
Strategic significance
The carrier is viewed by Iran as a key U.S. military asset in the region, underscoring its central role in American power projection.
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If they can prove sabotage and who is responsible, I want the responsible party(it’s) to,spent life in Leavenworth.
The Navy is nothing like it was when I served between 1955 & 1959
What keeps them from switching out crew members to give them a break. 3 months on/3months off? Meanwhile our brass gets to sit on their fat asses in the Pentagon or other places of luxury.