The USS Gerald R. Ford is returning to the Mediterranean for repairs and refueling following a fire. Last week, more than 100 beds were unusable and about 200 sailors were evaluated for smoke inhalation after flames ripped through a laundry room, according to military officials.
They also said that while the fire was extinguished within hours, broader damage control efforts took about 30 hours. The Navy’s second newest aircraft carrier is expected to dock at the Crete naval base or another port in Europe.
The USS Gerald R. Ford is currently operating in the Red Sea and its departure will mean that US Central Command will have only one aircraft carrier supporting operations against Iran. The ship is expected to be replaced by the USS George Bush, according to information from The New York Times.
In addition to the fire, the aircraft carrier also has problems with its sanitary facilities, with blocked drains and long lines in the bathrooms, according to RFI radio. A government report released in 2020 states that the ship’s drains become blocked “unexpectedly and frequently”, which requires regular cleaning at a cost of up to R$400,000.
Also according to RFI, the ship’s command reported that “drain clogging incidents are resolved quickly by personnel trained in troubleshooting and engineering, with minimal downtime.” (With international agencies)
