U.S. Navy Nuclear Aircraft Carrier USS Gerald R. Ford Might Be Out of Action for 14 Months

The U.S. Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), has been pulled from active operations in the Red Sea and sent to Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Crete following a March 12 onboard fire and mounting system strain after months of sustained combat operations. The fire, which broke out in the ship's main laundry area, injured sailors and damaged living spaces. After nearly nine months at sea—one of the longest deployments in recent history—there is growing concern that the Ford could enter an extended maintenance period of 12 to 14 months due to fire damage, deferred maintenance, and design flaws inherent in the first-in-class vessel.