Details have emerged about the fire that affected the U.S. Navy’s most modern nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the Red Sea

Days ago, the U.S. Navy’s most modern nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, reported a fire while operating in the Red Sea—an incident confirmed by U.S. military authorities and not linked to combat actions. The fire started on March 12 in the carrier’s main laundry area, as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) had reported. And in recent days, new details about the incident have emerged.

“On March 12, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) experienced a fire that originated in the ship’s main laundry spaces,” the official statement said. In that regard, it specified that “the cause of the fire was not combat-related and has been contained. There is no damage to the propulsion plant and the aircraft carrier remains fully operational.”

Authorities also confirmed that two sailors were injured during the incident, although their injuries are not serious. Both are receiving medical treatment and remain in stable condition, according to the U.S. Navy’s update.

While the initial fire was extinguished quickly, onboard teams continued conducting damage-control work and assessing the affected systems. Likewise, the Naval Sea Systems Command’s (NAVSEA) Advanced Deployed Regional Maintenance Center was preparing to provide technical support, particularly in the electrical area.

USS Gerald R. Ford was operating in the northern Red Sea, off the coast of Al Wajh, Saudi Arabia, alongside escort units that make up its strike group. These include the destroyers USS Mahan (DDG-72), USS Bainbridge (DDG-96), and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81), which had recently transited the Suez Canal.

The strike group’s deployment is taking place under Operation Epic Fury, a joint U.S.–Israeli campaign against Iran that is now in its second week. In this context, the aircraft carrier has taken part in operations that include strikes against targets on Iranian territory and actions against that country’s naval units.

The crew of the nuclear-powered ship—deployed almost continuously since June 2025—has seen its mission extended on multiple occasions under the requirements and orders of the Department of Defense. Its presence in the region responds to the need to reinforce the U.S. military posture in the Middle East under Operation Epic Fury.

If it remains on operations through mid-April, USS Gerald R. Ford could surpass the 294-day continuous deployment record set after the Vietnam War by USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in 2020. If extended into May, the deployment would approach the 300+ day figures observed during naval operations in Southeast Asia during that conflict.

Images for illustrative purposes.

You may also like: The U.S. Navy to reverse its plans to retire t