USS Gerald R. Ford laundry fire halts operations as repairs begin in Greece, raising concerns over readiness and deployment timeline
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Apr 03, 2026, 20:11 IST
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In a challenging turn of events, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the latest addition to America's naval fleet, encountered a laundry fire while stationed in the Red Sea. Though the incident resulted in minor injuries and temporarily displaced several sailors, operations swiftly resumed.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the US Navy's newest and largest aircraft carrier, experienced a laundry fire on March 12 that temporarily hindered its combat operations. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle stated that the ship was able to resume flying sorties two days after the blaze was extinguished, marking the first indication that the fire impacted operations against Iran. The fire occurred while the ship was operating in the Red Sea as part of Operation Epic Fury.
A statement from the US 5th Fleet on March 12 indicated the ship remained fully operational after the fire, which was not combat-related and resulted in two sailors sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. Adm. Daryl Caudle, speaking to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), praised the crew's response.
“They fought that, put it out, and started flying sorties two days after that, so I’m very proud of that crew,” he said.
A US official informed CNN that extinguishing the fire, addressing water damage, and ensuring no flare-ups took approximately 30 hours. This official also noted that over 100 beds were damaged due to their proximity to the laundry area. Roughly 600 sailors were displaced from their sleeping areas.
The Ford was subsequently pulled from action just over a week after the fire. The Navy announced the 100,000-ton warship was being sent to a US base at Souda Bay, Greece, for repairs. Seven berthing compartments on the Ford were repaired while the ship was at the port on the island of Crete.
The Navy has not disclosed the cause of the March 12 fire. However, a March 28 statement from the 6th Fleet confirmed that military and federal civilian law enforcement were continuing investigations into the fire originating in the ship's laundry facilities.
The Ford had departed Split, Croatia, following a five-day port visit for rest and recreation. Adm. Caudle mentioned at the CSIS event that the Ford's deployment, which began in late June from its Norfolk, Virginia, homeport, would extend into an 11th month. He stated the ship would be "back on station here soon."
The admiral described the length of the Ford's deployment as "extraordinary" and acknowledged the strain it placed on personnel and equipment. He added, "But the Navy was 'built for that.'"
“Sailors that are doing this, this is what they signed up for,” Caudle said.
He did not specify whether the Ford would remain in the Mediterranean or return to the Red Sea. The 6th Fleet stated on Thursday that the "Gerald R. Ford remains poised for full mission tasking in support of national objectives in any area of operation."
In related naval movements, the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush and its strike group departed Norfolk on Tuesday. This carrier is headed to the US Central Command's area of responsibility, which encompasses the Middle East. These movements coincide with President Donald Trump's announcement of increased military pressure on Iran in the coming weeks.
“We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks. We are going to bring them back to the stone ages, where they belong,” the president stated.
Adm. Caudle also expressed concerns on Tuesday regarding the impact of the conflict with Iran on the US Navy's readiness and deterrence posture in other regions.
“The challenge … is how do you buy down risk in other parts of the world while you’re focusing a lot of resources in one area,” the CNO said.
A statement from the US 5th Fleet on March 12 indicated the ship remained fully operational after the fire, which was not combat-related and resulted in two sailors sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. Adm. Daryl Caudle, speaking to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), praised the crew's response.
“They fought that, put it out, and started flying sorties two days after that, so I’m very proud of that crew,” he said.
A US official informed CNN that extinguishing the fire, addressing water damage, and ensuring no flare-ups took approximately 30 hours. This official also noted that over 100 beds were damaged due to their proximity to the laundry area. Roughly 600 sailors were displaced from their sleeping areas.
The Ford was subsequently pulled from action just over a week after the fire. The Navy announced the 100,000-ton warship was being sent to a US base at Souda Bay, Greece, for repairs. Seven berthing compartments on the Ford were repaired while the ship was at the port on the island of Crete.
The Navy has not disclosed the cause of the March 12 fire. However, a March 28 statement from the 6th Fleet confirmed that military and federal civilian law enforcement were continuing investigations into the fire originating in the ship's laundry facilities.
The Ford had departed Split, Croatia, following a five-day port visit for rest and recreation. Adm. Caudle mentioned at the CSIS event that the Ford's deployment, which began in late June from its Norfolk, Virginia, homeport, would extend into an 11th month. He stated the ship would be "back on station here soon."
The admiral described the length of the Ford's deployment as "extraordinary" and acknowledged the strain it placed on personnel and equipment. He added, "But the Navy was 'built for that.'"
“Sailors that are doing this, this is what they signed up for,” Caudle said.
He did not specify whether the Ford would remain in the Mediterranean or return to the Red Sea. The 6th Fleet stated on Thursday that the "Gerald R. Ford remains poised for full mission tasking in support of national objectives in any area of operation."
In related naval movements, the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush and its strike group departed Norfolk on Tuesday. This carrier is headed to the US Central Command's area of responsibility, which encompasses the Middle East. These movements coincide with President Donald Trump's announcement of increased military pressure on Iran in the coming weeks.
“We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks. We are going to bring them back to the stone ages, where they belong,” the president stated.
Adm. Caudle also expressed concerns on Tuesday regarding the impact of the conflict with Iran on the US Navy's readiness and deterrence posture in other regions.
“The challenge … is how do you buy down risk in other parts of the world while you’re focusing a lot of resources in one area,” the CNO said.