Blaze, breakdowns and burnout: USS Ford crew battles strain during extended Middle East mission

The USS Gerald R Ford is now nearing its 10th month at sea and could surpass the post-Vietnam War deployment record of 294 days if it remains deployed into mid-April

• Fire aboard USS Gerald R. Ford took over 30 hours to extinguish
• More than 600 sailors displaced, two treated for minor injuries
• Carrier nearing 10 months at sea, deployment may extend into May

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A fire that broke out aboard the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford last week took more than 30 hours to extinguish, highlighting mounting strain on the vessel and its crew during an extended deployment, the New York Times reported.

The blaze began in the ship's main laundry area last Thursday and spread rapidly, reportedly originating from a dryer vent. More than 600 sailors were displaced as a result, losing access to their bunks and instead sleeping on floors and tables, the report said.

US Central Command confirmed that two sailors were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, while multiple crew members experienced smoke inhalation. The fire has also disrupted basic onboard functions, leaving many sailors unable to do laundry.

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At the time of the incident, the carrier and its roughly 4,500 personnel were operating in the Mediterranean. The New York Times reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had earlier ordered the ship to move to the Caribbean as part of pressure efforts targeting Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro, before it was redirected to the Middle East amid the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran.

Communication with personnel aboard the ship has been limited due to operational security, with vessels often going "dark" during wartime. Several sailors and officials spoke anonymously due to restrictions on public comments, the report noted.

The USS Gerald R. Ford is now nearing its 10th month at sea and could surpass the post-Vietnam War deployment record of 294 days if it remains deployed into mid-April. Crew members have been informed the mission may extend into May, potentially doubling the typical six-month deployment cycle, the New York Times said.

Extended deployments place significant stress on both equipment and personnel. Retired Rear Adm. John F. Kirby told the New York Times that prolonged operations degrade performance, noting that ships and crews cannot sustain peak readiness indefinitely.

Despite the fire, the Navy has said the carrier remains operational and that critical systems, including propulsion, were unaffected. However, the incident adds to a string of maintenance challenges, including recurring plumbing issues onboard.

A planned maintenance period at Newport News Naval Shipyard has been delayed, while another carrier, the USS George H.W. Bush, is expected to deploy soon and may relieve the Ford, the report added.