18.03.2026 08:14
U.S. officials announced that the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, which has been involved in operations against Iran, will temporarily dock at a port in Crete after a fire that could be extinguished with 30 hours of work.
A fire broke out on the USS Gerald R. Ford, the most advanced and largest aircraft carrier in the world, on March 12. It was reported that the fire on the ship, which was on duty in the Red Sea, originated from a system in the main laundry section. Although officials announced that the fire was not related to any conflict, the scale of the incident drew attention.
30-HOUR INTERVENTION
It was suggested that it took a long time to bring the fire under control, and according to some sources, it was completely extinguished after more than 30 hours. At least two sailors were reported injured, and some personnel were treated due to smoke inhalation.
It was reported that serious living space issues occurred on the ship due to the fire, with hundreds of sailors unable to use their berthing areas and having to find temporary solutions for shelter.
EVACUATION AND DAMAGE DISCUSSION
The U.S. Navy announced that the ship's nuclear propulsion system was not damaged and that it maintained its operational capacity. However, the information that some personnel were evacuated by air highlighted the seriousness of the incident. The Pentagon did not provide a detailed statement regarding the extent of the fire.
ON DUTY FOR 9 MONTHS: MORAL AND PREPARATION QUESTIONS
The fact that the USS Gerald R. Ford has been on continuous duty for about 9 months has raised discussions about the morale of the personnel on board and the level of operational readiness. It is known that the aircraft carrier previously operated against Venezuela in the Caribbean and was then redirected to the Middle East. Experts point out that the long deployment period could increase the risk of technical malfunctions and personnel fatigue.
PREPARATION TO TOW TO CRETE
According to officials speaking to Reuters, it is planned to temporarily tow the aircraft carrier to Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete. However, no specific timeline has been shared regarding how long the ship will stay there.
CRITICAL DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE SHADOW OF WAR
The USS Gerald R. Ford is supporting operations initiated by the U.S. and Israel against Iran on February 28. As military activity in the region rapidly increases, the fire on the ship has raised questions about the U.S.'s military power and operational sustainability in the field.
U.S.-ISRAEL'S ATTACKS ON IRAN
While negotiations continue between Tehran and Washington, Israel and the U.S. launched a military attack on Iran on February 28. Iran responded with attacks on targets it identified in several regional countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain, where U.S. bases are located, in addition to Israel.
In the U.S.-Israel attacks, many high-ranking officials were killed, including Iranian leader Ali Khamenei. According to Iranian officials, the death toll from the U.S.-Israel attacks exceeded 1,348, and the number of injured surpassed 17,000.