Souda Bay, Greece — March 24, 2026 (New York time) — The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford has docked at Souda Bay for maintenance and repairs following a fire that occurred during its mission in the Red Sea, which affected hundreds of sailors. According to information from the U.S. Navy and USNI News, the fire broke out on March 12 in the laundry room area while the ship was participating in Operation Epic Fury. The incident affected more than 200 sailors due to smoke inhalation, similar to previous emergency rescue situations involving U.S. submarine sailors at sea. Reports indicate that approximately 600 sailors had to sleep temporarily on floors and tables as living quarters were damaged following the fire. Previously, the ship had encountered several technical issues, including the malfunction of hundreds of toilets, according to prior reports in the U.S. The U.S. Navy stated that the ship remains fully mission-capable, similar to its denial of claims regarding hitting an aircraft carrier by opposing forces; however, no specific timeline for completing repairs at Souda Bay was announced. According to the press release, this port visit is intended for damage assessment, repairs, and resupply, while the Ford carrier strike group continues its overseas deployment. Earlier, the ship's deployment had been extended to approximately 11 months, instead of the standard duration, amid the increase of U.S. military presence in the Middle East to ensure maritime security.

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