The world’s largest aircraft carrier is limping toward repairs after a dramatic fire onboard left hundreds of sailors without beds and raised fresh questions about conditions aboard the $13 billion warship. The USS Gerald R. Ford is now sailing to Crete following a string of mishaps during a long deployment that has stretched for nine months. The massive vessel, which carries more than 5,000 sailors and crew members, has been heavily involved in recent U.S. military operations around the world. The deployment began with action tied to Donald Trump’s operation against Nicolás Maduro in October. After that mission, the carrier was sent to the Middle East, where it has been operating during the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, now in its third week. But trouble struck when a fire erupted inside the giant warship, injuring sailors and causing major disruption to life on board. Officials said the blaze broke out in the ship’s main laundry area. It took hours for crews to bring the flames under control. The fire damaged around 100 sleeping berths and forced major changes to living arrangements for the crew. More than 600 sailors reportedly lost their beds after the incident. Since then, crew members have been sleeping on floors and tables as temporary arrangements were made. The scale of the incident also raised concerns about the health of those onboard. The U.S. military’s United States Central Command confirmed that two sailors were treated for “non-life-threatening injuries”. But officials speaking anonymously revealed that the situation may have been far larger. Nearly 200 sailors were treated for smoke-related injuries after inhaling fumes from the blaze. Dozens more reportedly experienced smoke inhalation symptoms. One service member had to be flown off the carrier for treatment after the fire. The damage and disruption have sparked questions about morale among the crew. The Ford has been operating continuously for months, placing strain on sailors already dealing with demanding conditions at sea. Officials did not say how long the carrier would remain in Crete for repairs. The extent of the damage was first reported by The New York Times. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the situation. Earlier statements from the military insisted the ship remained operational despite the incident. Officials said the propulsion plant was not damaged and the aircraft carrier’s main functions were still working. Yet the fire is not the only headache the Ford has faced during its service. Reports say the vessel has also struggled with ongoing problems involving its toilet system. Clogs and long lines for facilities have reportedly plagued sailors onboard. A 2020 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office warned the system suffered from “unexpected and frequent clogging”. Fixing the problem can require acid flushes that cost around $400,000 each time. Despite the setbacks, the carrier remains one of the most powerful ships ever built. Constructed by Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding, the nuclear-powered vessel weighs about 97,000 tonnes. It carries more than 75 aircraft, including F-18 Super Hornet fighter planes. The Ford is also equipped with advanced radar designed to control air traffic and navigation around the ship. High-tech systems, including augmented reality tools, are meant to help crews monitor equipment and improve efficiency. The carrier operates alongside a powerful escort fleet. That includes the USS Normandy and destroyers such as USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt. Together, the fleet provides surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Now the immediate focus is repairs. With hundreds of sailors displaced from their sleeping quarters and lingering questions about conditions onboard, attention is turning to how quickly the Navy can restore full operations to its flagship carrier. Trump’s biggest warship limps to Crete for repairs after huge fire
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