United States Navy USS Gerald R. Ford Damaged

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) suffered a non-combat fire in its aft laundry spaces on March 12, 2026, while operating in the Red Sea during the Iran conflict. Two sailors sustained burn injuries and over 200 crew members were treated for smoke inhalation. One sailor was medically evacuated to a shore facility. The fire was contained by the ship damage control teams, but the carrier was forced to sail to Souda Bay, Crete, for repairs. The incident temporarily reduced the Navy carrier presence in the region during ongoing combat operations.