U.S. Navy’s Most Advanced Carrier Returns to Port After Extended Deployment and Fire Incident

On March 12, a fire ignited within the rear laundry room aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy’s cutting-edge aircraft carrier. Smoke rapidly filled the compartment, leading to two sailors sustaining cuts, with one evacuated for medical treatment. Over 200 crew members required care for smoke inhalation as damage control teams acted swiftly to contain the blaze.

Although the fire itself burned for less than 30 hours, the response efforts endured well beyond a day to prevent damage from spreading. After the smoke cleared, the impact extended past the laundry area, contaminating berthing areas where crew members sleep. The incident led to the loss of more than 100 sleeping racks, known in Navy terms as beds.

To support the affected sailors, officials sourced 1,000 mattresses from the not-yet-commissioned USS John F. Kennedy, currently being built in Newport News Shipbuilding, Virginia, and shipped them overseas. According to USNI News, the Navy also gathered nearly 2,000 sweat suits and other clothing for personnel who lost access to laundering facilities.

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Prolonged Deployment Exceeds Nine Months

The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) maintained “full mission readiness” throughout, as confirmed by the US 5th Fleet. A Pentagon representative highlighted that “the resilience and mental fortitude of our Sailors have enabled USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) to continue supporting missions.”

This fire incident was just one challenge during a deployment extended twice beyond its original schedule.

Leaving Norfolk, Virginia on June 24, 2025, the carrier initially headed toward Europe. By November, it had been operating in the Caribbean, applying pressure on Venezuela through enforcement against sanctioned oil shipments. In mid-February, new orders redirected the vessel to the Middle East, arriving shortly after Operation Epic Fury commenced against Iran, as detailed by Business Insider.

The carrier’s combat engagement was brief. By mid-March, the Ford passed northbound through the Suez Canal and docked near Naval Support Activity Souda Bay on Crete. The US 6th Fleet described the stop as an opportunity for “efficient inspections, repairs, and resupply,” while USNI News reported that the carrier would remain at the pier for over a week addressing fire-related repairs.

Recurring Plumbing Issues Compound Challenges

The fire shed light on ongoing troubles with the ship’s sewage system, which had been malfunctioning consistently. Maintenance teams responded to roughly one plumbing-related issue daily, according to a service official speaking to The Wall Street Journal.

These plumbing challenges are not unique to the Ford class. A 2020 Government Accountability Office report had flagged defects in waste handling systems several years after the USS Gerald R. Ford was commissioned in 2017. For the 4,000-plus personnel aboard, infrastructure malfunctions, extended shifts, and confined living conditions contributed to mounting stress during the lengthy deployment.

Naval operations leader Adm. Daryl Caudle recognized this strain in a recent statement, saying, “Extended assignments require endurance. They ask Sailors to miss pivotal life events and ask families to bear extra burdens. We deeply appreciate that sacrifice.”

Deployment Nearing Historic Length

By March 17, the Ford had been active at sea for 266 days. Should it stay deployed through mid-April, it would surpass the post-Vietnam record of 294 days previously held by USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) set in 2020.

Extending the deployment into early May would bring it close to the 300+ days of deployments conducted during the Vietnam War. The USNI News carrier deployment database only includes operational missions with national directives, excluding certification or training voyages.

F/A-18 Super Hornet lands on USS Gerald R. Ford’s flight deck in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea during Operation Epic Fury, March 2, 2026. Credit: US Navy

During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, USS Nimitz (CVN-68) remained underway for nearly a year due to movement restrictions, with an operational deployment tallying 263 days.

Only One Carrier Remains on Active Duty in Region

The Ford’s stop at Souda Bay temporarily removes it from the Iran operations. The USS Abraham Lincoln stands as the sole US carrier continuing combat missions in the area. Prior to docking, the Ford operated in the Red Sea accompanied by USS Bainbridge (DDG-96), USS Mahan (DDG-72), and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81).

President Donald Trump announced on March 23 a delay of five days for potential strikes on Iranian energy facilities after reportedly constructive talks with Tehran. This came after Trump’s earlier warning that strikes would occur if Iran did not reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. At the time of the Ford’s departure, Iran maintained control over the strait.

Commissioned in 2017, the USS Gerald R. Ford is the lead ship of the Navy’s next-generation carriers and currently on only its second comprehensive combat deployment. Presently docked in Crete, the crew is focused on repairing the damaged berthing spaces and replacing mattresses sourced from a yet-to-be-commissioned carrier.