The US Sixth Fleet, responsible for US naval operations in Europe, announced on 23/3 that the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford had docked at Souda Bay naval base on the island of Crete, Greece. This stop is for maintenance and repairs after a period of operations in the Red Sea.

"The carrier remains fully capable of fulfilling its mission. This port call allows for effective inspection, repair, and resupply. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group continues its overseas deployment", the announcement stated.

The current location of other ships within the strike group is not known.

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford anchored at the base on Crete island, Greece on 23/3. *AP*

The USS Gerald R. Ford and its escort warships had previously operated in the Red Sea, supporting a campaign targeting Iran. The US currently has another aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, in the region.

USNI News, a publication of the US Naval Institute, reported that the USS Gerald R. Ford required port repairs due to damage from a fire on 12/3, a process expected to take over one week.

The fire originated from a dryer vent in the laundry area aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford, taking ship personnel over 30 hours to control. The incident left over 600 sailors displaced, forcing them to sleep on floors and tabletops. Many sailors were also unable to wash their clothes for several days.

An official told Reuters that nearly 200 sailors on board received treatment for smoke-related injuries. At least three individuals were evacuated by aircraft for onshore medical care.

The USS Gerald R. Ford is the world's largest aircraft carrier and the most expensive warship in US naval history, with a delivery cost of nearly 13 billion USD. However, the warship has encountered numerous issues during its construction, leading to delays and cost overruns, as well as experiencing various malfunctions during its operational deployments.

The Wall Street Journal reported last month that an officer assigned to the Ford aircraft carrier revealed to his father that "the warship's toilet system is experiencing problems".

The ship departed its homeport in Virginia in June 2025, marking its second full operational deployment since commissioning. This deployment was extended twice, reaching 9 months, an unusual duration for an aircraft carrier to remain at sea.

Such prolonged deployment raises concerns about potential crew morale issues and a decline in the warship's combat readiness. Retired US Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery stated that ship equipment begins to fail after approximately 8 months without port maintenance and repairs.

Location of Crete island and the Red Sea. *BBC*

US Navy leadership has acknowledged the challenges crews face during extended periods at sea.

"Extended deployments demand endurance. They cause sailors to miss birthdays, anniversaries, and everyday moments at home, and place additional burdens on their families. That sacrifice is real, and we do not take it lightly", US Navy Commander Daryl Caudle stated last month.

Pham Giang (According to Business Insider, USNI News)