USS Gerald R. Ford docks in Crete for repairs after a fire damaged crew quarters, raising concerns about its operational readiness.
The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier of the U.S. Navy has docked at Souda Bay in Crete for repairs and assessment following a serious fire in the ship's laundry. It has been reported that the fire caused damage to the berthing areas in the ship, which is designed with a limited crew structure, raising concerns regarding long-duration missions.
In a statement from the U.S. 6th Fleet, it was noted that the Ford arrived at Souda Bay on March 23 and will remain in the area for an indefinite period for 'effective assessment, repair, and replenishment.' The command emphasized that deployment is ongoing despite claims that the ship would be withdrawn from service and return to Norfolk.
According to Bloomberg, the Pentagon's latest internal test assessment of the ship revealed that the issues with the $13 billion platform are not limited to the fire. Nine years after the delivery of the USS Gerald R. Ford and four years after its first overseas deployment, the Operational Test and Evaluation Office has yet to reach a definitive conclusion regarding the ship's 'operational suitability.'
The report indicated that there is 'insufficient data' in critical areas such as the aircraft launch and recovery systems, radar capabilities, defense capacity against threats, and the long-troubled weapon elevators.
The U.S. Navy stated that it is satisfied with the ship's recent operational performance, claiming that the technical issues from the early years have largely been overcome. Former ship commander Captain Rick Burgess also described the Ford as 'the world's most capable, adaptable, and lethal war platform' in an assessment he made in 2025.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that the USS George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group is continuing preparations for a possible mission in the Middle East. It was noted that the USS Mason, USS Donald Cook, and USS Ross, which are part of the group, have also set sail as part of the deployment.
U.S. President Donald Trump made a striking claim, stating that the threat level in the region is high. Trump alleged that Iranian forces fired more than 100 missiles at the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Oman.
'One of our aircraft carriers, the Abraham Lincoln, was fired upon with 100 missiles. And all 101 missiles that were fired fell into the sea,' Trump stated, praising the U.S. Navy's air defense capability.
Iranian media confirmed on March 25 that an unspecified number of cruise missiles were fired at the USS Abraham Lincoln. However, details regarding the scope and consequences of the attack have not yet been clarified.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
