US Navy downplays USS Gerald R Ford's toilet problem as aircraft carrier arrives near Israel ahead of possible Iran strike

USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, on Friday (Feb 27) arrived at Israel's northern coast today. The US aircraft career which played a major role in US President Donald Trump's operation on Venezuela and is now set to feature in potential action against Iran, has been making headlines for a weird reason: clogged toilets. Now, the US Navy has issued a clarification.

Reports earlier this year described widespread failures in the ship’s sanitation system. Interviews with sailors suggested that many of the roughly 650 toilets were temporarily out of service at various points.

The result was long queues and frustration. In some cases, sailors reportedly waited up to 45 minutes to access functioning facilities.

Hull technicians tasked with repairs have been working long shifts to keep systems running.

According to reports, the USS Gerald Ford has been plagued by chronic sewage system failures. The problem has been ongoing since January, when the warship was deployed in the Caribbean.

The aircraft carrier has been at sea since June 2025. In January, it played a crucial role during the US's Venezuelan strike, where President Nicolas Maduro was captured. Now, amid tensions with Iran, the warship has been deployed in the Middle East, further extending the period for exhausted sailors.

With more than 4,500 sailors onboard during an extended deployment, even routine systems have come under strain. According to reports, the system's "narrow pipes" have proven inadequate for a crew of over 4,500 sailors, leading to frequent clogs and vacuum failures.

Last year, when the USS Gerald Ford was deployed in Venezuela during the capture of Maduro, the ship called for "sewage-related maintenance call per day," suggest reports. It reported at least 205 breakdowns in four days.

The Ford relies on a vacuum-based sewage system. It is efficient when functioning properly, but can be sensitive.

A single valve failure can disrupt an entire section. Calcium build-up in narrow pipes has also been cited as a recurring issue, sometimes requiring costly maintenance to clear blockages.

Last year alone, more than 200 toilet malfunctions were recorded over four days.

In a statement, the US Navy said the ship’s systems are "operating within expected parameters for a Ford-class aircraft carrier with more than 4,000 personnel".

They noted that since deployment, the Gerald R. Ford’s vacuum collection, holding, and transfer (VCHT) system has processed "more than six million toilet flushes". When clogs occur, they "are addressed promptly by trained damage control and engineering personnel, with minimal downtime".

Commanding officer Capt. David Skarosi noted that "On a ship this size, with this many Sailors, clogs will occur." The focus, he said, remains on resolving them without affecting readiness.

“What matters is how quickly they are resolved. Our maintenance teams respond immediately, and the system continues to function as designed with no impact to operational readiness or our ability to meet our mission. I am engaged daily with any concerns regarding the health, well-being, and morale of the crew.”

Officials maintain that the sanitation issues have not affected operational capability. “More than eight months into an extended deployment, the Sailors of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) continue to demonstrate resilience, professionalism, and sustained morale while serving far from home,” said the statement.