The aircraft carrier “USS Gerald R. Ford” has docked again at Souda Bay base, approximately one month after its last arrival in the region and before the start of the attack on Iran. However, this time the circumstances of the aircraft carrier’s arrival are quite different, as it follows both the commencement of ongoing military operations and the outbreak of a major fire in the ship’s interior, specifically in the laundry facilities area, as officially announced.
USS Gerald R. Ford docks at Souda Bay – Different circumstances for its arrival
According to flashnews.gr, the usual mass “recreational leave” for crew members will not be permitted, and for security reasons, there will be no familiar scenes of Americans flooding downtown Chania. Additionally, US Navy authorities are investigating the cause of the aircraft carrier fire. According to reports, specialist investigators will board the ship to take statements from responsible officers and crew members who may be connected to the incident.
Where the fire broke out on the USS Gerald R. Ford
As officially announced, the fire on the “Gerald R. Ford” broke out on March 12, with the main laundry facility being the point of origin. The fire spread through ventilation ducts and required many hours to extinguish, while two sailors were injured, with one transferred off the aircraft carrier for medical treatment. Another 200 people experienced respiratory problems from smoke inhalation.
Furthermore, after the fire, approximately 600 crew members did not have access to their regular bunks and had to use temporary living spaces. The laundry facility was out of order and only limited sanitation facilities were available for the crew.
According to official Pentagon announcements, “there was no damage to the aircraft carrier’s propulsion system, which remained operational after the fire.” However, the technical issues created and the need to investigate the incident led to the decision to return to Souda Bay, where further inspection and repairs will be conducted.
Investigation into how the fire started
Investigators will focus on how the fire started in that specific area, and one critical scenario being investigated is that it was deliberately caused by crew members frustrated with the ship’s months-long continuous operational deployment.
It should be noted that since June 2025, the aircraft carrier had initially moved to the Caribbean to support the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and was subsequently ordered to sail to the Eastern Mediterranean, with Souda Bay base as its first port of arrival on February 23. On March 5, the aircraft carrier, accompanied by the destroyer “Bainbridge,” crossed the Suez Canal heading toward the Red Sea, where US warships were already operating.
Unknown duration of USS Gerald R. Ford’s stay at Souda Bay
According to reports, the continuous operational deployment at sea for 10 full months has far exceeded the usual six-month limit and has caused intense complaints among crew members and passengers aboard the aircraft carrier. Currently, the duration of the “Gerald R. Ford’s” stay at Souda Bay base is unknown, but reports suggest it is expected to return to the US afterward.
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