Fire-hit USS Gerald R Ford heads for repairs amid Iran war: Where is it now?

After a massive fire broke out aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford, it has now been revealed that it is preparing to leave the Red Sea for repairs in Crete. This comes amid raging war in West Asia and prolonged deployment of the warship. US officials have said that it will travel to a US Navy base on the Crete island for pierside repairs. The New York Times reported that as many as three sailors were injured when fire engulfed the warship. It took more than 30 hours to extinguish the blaze and left at least 600 sailors and crew members without their bunks. However, the Central Command said that the fire caused "no damage to the ship’s propulsion plant, and the aircraft carrier remains fully operational.”

Also Read: Clogged toilets, narrow pipes: USS Gerald R Ford faces dirty 'sewage' problem

The report stated that the blaze began in the ship’s main laundry facility, then spread into vent of a dryer, and then spread through ventilation ducts into several other parts of the vessel. The fire was brought under control after sailors continuous attempts for over a day. The cause of the fire is still not known. After the fire, the NYT report claimed that sailors have been sleeping on floors, tables, and other makeshift areas throughout the ship as the damage due to the incident is still being assessed and living spaces are being restored. The carrier hosts a crew of roughly 4,500 sailors and aviators. The USS Gerald Ford is deployed for around ten months now. It is one of the longest post-Vietnam deployments for an American aircraft carrier. The NYT suggested that officials have hinted that another carrier strike group may soon relieve the Ford from its deployment. Though some reports indicate that it may be relieved, other state that the crew's deployment has been extended into May 2026.

Also Read: Iran Threatens USS Gerald Ford Strike Group; Iran Warns Gulf States Over US Warship Support

What were the other problems reported about the Gerald R Ford?

Last month, when the USS Gerald Ford was still on its way to West Asia, it encountered a bizarre issue of sewage system failures. Reports indicated that problem was a recurring one since January when the warship was deployed in Caribbean. The system's "narrow pipes" proved to be inadequate for a crew of over 4,600 sailors, leading to frequent clogs and vacuum failures. Onboard toilets were affected due to the ship’s Vacuum Collection, Holding and Transfer (VCHT) system. American Navy said at that time that the problems will not impact ship's capability in West Asia combat.

What is Iran's latest threat regarding Gerald R Ford?

Iran in its latest threat said that all logistical and service centers in the Red Sea that are assisting the USS Gerald R Ford carriers in the war are being considered “targets” by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC). IRGC commander had earlier said that Iranian forces were waiting for it “to reach the designated perimeter.”

(Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.)