A fire broke out aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) on Thursday, U.S. officials confirmed, though the blaze has since been extinguished. Crew members continue to manage damage control, while Naval Sea Systems Command prepares additional electrical support for the ship, according to USNI News.
A statement from U.S. Central Command noted the fire began in the ship’s main laundry area. It stressed the incident was not combat-related, the carrier’s propulsion system is intact, and the vessel remains fully operational. Two sailors sustained injuries and are receiving medical treatment in stable condition.
At the time, the USS Gerald R. Ford was operating in the northern Red Sea near Al Wajh, Saudi Arabia, having recently transited the Suez Canal alongside escorts USS Mahan (DDG-72), USS Bainbridge (DDG-96), and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81).
The carrier strike group is engaged in Operation Epic Fury, a U.S.-Israeli campaign targeting Iranian assets, now entering its second week. The USS Gerald R. Ford has been deployed since June 2025, with multiple extensions, including a recent assignment to the Middle East ahead of escalating regional tensions.
Officials said further details will be released as the situation develops.
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