US aircraft carrier, deployed in war with Iran, heads to port after onboard fire

The USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier is heading to port in Souda Bay, Crete, after a fire onboard injured at least two sailors, a US official familiar with the matter said.

The fire broke out in the ship's laundry area and caused non-life-threatening injuries. The carrier is currently operating in the Red Sea as part of US operations against Iran.

Bloomberg, citing US officials who were not authorised to speak publicly, reported that the vessel would sail to the Greek island of Crete for port access following the incident. The Ford had earlier stopped in Souda Bay in late February while en route to the Red Sea.

A spokesperson for the US Navy declined to comment on the condition of the carrier or whether the guided-missile destroyers accompanying it would remain in the region. However, a defence official said the Ford's carrier strike group would continue operations in the Red Sea.

The United States has conducted strikes on more than 7,000 targets since launching operations against Iran on 28 February.

With the Ford heading to port, much of the sea-based aerial campaign is expected to be carried out by the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group. Earlier this week, the US Navy had 12 ships, including the Lincoln and eight destroyers, deployed in the Arabian Sea.

The US military has not disclosed further details about the fire aboard the 100,000-ton nuclear-powered carrier, which carries more than 4,000 personnel.

The New York Times reported that it took sailors more than 30 hours to bring the fire under control, while over 600 crew members lost access to their bunk space.

Originally deployed in support of US operations against Venezuela, the Ford was redirected to the Middle East following an order by President Donald Trump ahead of the Iran campaign. Its deployment, which began in June last year, has since been extended beyond the usual six-month duration.

The Ford, the most expensive warship ever built by the United States, operates alongside guided-missile destroyers and carries an air wing that includes F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornets, E-2D airborne early warning aircraft, MH-60 Seahawk helicopters and C-2A Greyhound aircraft.

Extended deployments have raised concerns about crew fatigue and family strain. In a statement last month, the US Navy acknowledged the challenges faced by sailors during prolonged missions.

Earlier reports also highlighted plumbing issues aboard the vessel, though officials said such problems were often linked to improper use of onboard systems.