World's Largest Aircraft Carrier Returns to Crete for Repairs Following Crew Quarters Fire

The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is scheduled to return shortly to its base at Souda Bay on the island of Crete to undergo necessary repairs following an onboard fire last week that caused internal damage, according to official sources cited by the newspaper Kathimerini.

The incident reportedly began in a ventilation system associated with clothes dryers before spreading to sections of the crew's accommodations. This resulted in several sailors suffering from smoke inhalation. One crew member required medical evacuation, while over 200 others received treatment aboard the vessel.

Reports indicate that the U.S. Navy undertook the replacement of approximately one thousand damaged mattresses by transferring them from another aircraft carrier currently undergoing outfitting, in addition to supplying alternative clothing and supplies for the affected personnel.

The damage has disrupted laundry services aboard the ship, and some crew members are facing accommodation difficulties after their quarters were compromised, forcing some to sleep in temporary spaces within the carrier.

Despite the incident, the carrier continued to conduct combat sorties as part of ongoing military operations in the region amid rising tensions linked to Iran. The USS Abraham Lincoln is anticipated to temporarily replace the Ford during its repair period, while a third carrier prepares for later deployment to bolster the American military presence.

Conversely, U.S. Central Command affirmed that the Abraham Lincoln continues to execute air operations while sailing near Iran, notwithstanding unconfirmed reports suggesting its redeployment away from areas of heightened tension. Verification of these claims is complicated by restrictions imposed on commercial satellite imagery in the region.