USS Gerald R. Ford fire exposes failed suppression system

In March, the U.S. Navy's nuclear‑powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford suffered a major fire while operating in the Red Sea during missions against Iran. Initial Navy statements said the blaze was contained, two sailors sustained only light injuries and the ship remained fully operational. However, video later released showed extensive damage: collapsed berthing racks, burnt‑out metal frames, hanging cables and piles of ash. The carrier's $13 billion fire‑suppression system did not function, forcing the crew to manually fight the fire for about 30 hours.

The incident left roughly 600 crew members without access to their sleeping quarters and required the vessel to dock in Greece for emergency repairs. Flight operations were halted for two days before resuming, and senior officials indicated the carrier could need up to a year of work before it is fully back at sea. The fire also highlighted other technical problems, such as repeatedly clogged toilets.