The U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, currently deployed in operations against Iran, will temporarily
pull into port at Souda Bay in Crete following a significant onboard fire that tore through its laundry and sleeping
areas, injuring dozens of sailors and prompting damage‑control efforts that lasted more than 30 hours. U.S. officials
say the blaze, which began in the ship’s main laundry space and spread smoke into berthing areas, forced crew members to abandon hundreds of bunks and left many with smoke‑related injuries, though the carrier’s propulsion
and combat systems remain intact and operational. The Ford, America’s newest and largest carrier with a crew of over 5,000 and more than 75 aircraft, has been on an extended deployment in the Red Sea supporting strikes and military operations tied to the U.S.‑Iran war, and the temporary port stop will allow for repairs, refueling and a morale boost for the crew. The incident highlights strains on the ship during its marathon deployment, with criticism from some quarters about the length of the mission and the toll on sailors, even as U.S. military leaders emphasize the carrier’s continuing role in projecting force as tensions in the Middle East persist.
