The U.S. Navy has suffered a serious setback in the Middle East war: the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest ship of its kind ever built, has been withdrawn from combat readiness after nearly nine months at sea so that it can undergo extensive repairs in Greece. The naval giant, which has been carrying out special operations in the conflict with Iran, has been involved in several clashes since the beginning of its deployment, during which it sustained damage. As a result, the U.S. Navy’s top leadership ordered the ship to undergo repairs. The work will be carried out at the Souda Bay naval base on the island of Crete.
The aircraft carrier was hit, causing a fire to break out on board. The blaze spread for several hours, destroying numerous pieces of equipment as well as sailors’ living quarters, forcing them to relocate. Nearly 200 crew members were treated for smoke inhalation and fire-related injuries, and one sailor had to be evacuated by helicopter. In addition, the USS Gerald R. Ford experienced other problems, including a malfunction in its sanitation system, which required maintenance.
According to Reuters, despite the malfunctions and damage, the ship remains operational, and the strike did not affect its propulsion system.
The 337-meter-long USS Gerald R. Ford has a crew of approximately 4,000 sailors. The carrier is capable of carrying and operating 75 combat aircraft. It plays a significant role in U.S. operations in the Middle East, including missions involving F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets.
