New footage reveals a severe fire aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier caused extensive damage, displacing approximately 600 sailors and halting combat operations for two days. Iran claimed responsibility for the incident, though the Pentagon has downplayed its severity.
The extent of the damage to the USS Gerald R. Ford, a critical naval asset, raises questions about military transparency and the potential impact of geopolitical tensions on operational readiness.
Newly surfaced footage obtained by CNN suggests that a severe fire aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, the world's largest, inflicted more extensive damage than the Trump administration initially acknowledged. The fire, which erupted in March, forced the carrier to depart Mideast regional waters and undergo repairs in Croatia. The footage reveals destroyed sleeping quarters with sailors' bunks reduced to charred, twisted metal, and a gutted ceiling above the berthing areas. One sailor described the event as a massive emergency where they feared losing the ship. It took approximately 30 hours for the crew to extinguish the fire and prevent reignition. The incident displaced about 600 sailors. While the definitive cause remains unclear, Iran has claimed responsibility, asserting it targeted the carrier, fueling speculation given the Pentagon's history of downplaying military hardware incidents. The fire also hindered combat operations against Iran, resulting in a complete halt for two days. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle had previously stated the crew extinguished the fire and resumed flying sorties two days later.