USS Gerald R. Ford carrier fire far worse than U.S. Navy initially reported

In March 2026 a fire broke out aboard the U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford while the ship was conducting operations against Iran in the Red Sea. New footage obtained by CNN shows extensive damage to the berthing compartments, with bunks reduced to charred metal and wiring hanging from the ceiling.

Crew members spent about 30 hours fighting the blaze, during which the carrier's fire‑suppression system failed. Roughly 600 sailors were displaced, two receiving non‑life‑threatening injuries, and many were forced to sleep on decks and tables. A sailor recalled, “I seriously thought we were going to lose the ship. It’s either fight or die.”

The incident halted combat sorties for two days and forced the carrier to leave the Red Sea, sail to Crete for temporary repairs, and later return to its home port in Virginia for extensive maintenance. U.S. officials initially downplayed the damage, stating the ship remained fully functional, but the new video contradicts those statements. Iran has claimed responsibility for the attack, adding to regional tensions.