The world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, is currently transiting to Souda Bay, Crete, to undergo essential repairs following a significant fire last week. The blaze broke out on March 12 in the ship’s aft laundry facility while the carrier was operating in the Red Sea. Although the fire was eventually contained, the resulting damage control efforts lasted for over a day, displacing hundreds of sailors and disrupting daily operations. One sailor required medical evacuation due to injuries, and two others were treated for lacerations, while approximately 200 crew members were evaluated for smoke inhalation.
US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is preparing to leave the Red Sea to undergo repairs in the US Navy base on a Greek island after a fire that required several hours of putting out, according to USNI News.
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The damage to the ship’s interior is extensive, with smoke ruining several berthing spaces and over 100 beds. To support the crew, the Navy is rushing 1,000 replacement mattresses from Norfolk and nearly 2,000 sets of clothing, as the ship’s laundry services remain offline. Despite these challenges, the Pentagon stated that the Ford continues to support “Operation Epic Fury” until it reaches the pier in Greece. Having been deployed for 266 days, the carrier is now on track to potentially break the post-Vietnam War record for the longest carrier deployment if it remains at sea through mid-April. An official investigation is currently underway to determine the exact cause of the fire.
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