US aircraft carrier moves away from Iran war for repairs after fire [View all]
Source: CNN Politics
PUBLISHED Mar 18, 2026, 3:36 PM ET
The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier is moving away from operations tied to the Iran war and sailing to the US Navy’s base in Crete for repairs after a fire broke out in the ship’s laundry area last week, a US official said. The movement of the Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier comes as military operations against Iran are still in full swing, particularly as the US is seeking ways to reduce Iran’s threat to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The carrier has served as a ready platform for American fighter jets to participate in the campaign. The fire on March 12 was not combat-related, the US military said at the time. Two sailors received medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and were in stable condition.
The US official said the Ford, which was sailing in the Red Sea, would be at Souda Bay in Crete “for a brief period to conduct repairs,” which would determine what can be fixed immediately and what may need to be fixed when the ship goes back to its home port after its deployment. The other ships within the Ford Carrier Strike Group are remaining where they are in the region and not joining the Ford at Souda Bay.
USNI News first reported that the Ford was heading to Souda Bay for repairs. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine said Friday that the Pentagon was aware of the fire on board the Ford.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/18/politics/us-ford-carrier-fire-iran-war
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