US supercarrier experiences incident while operating near Iran

A fire broke out on the aircraft carrier Ford, operating in the Red Sea to support airstrikes against Iran, resulting in two sailors requiring medical treatment.

The US Navy's Fifth Fleet Command, overseeing Middle East operations, announced today that a fire erupted in the main laundry area aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford on 12/3. The incident was not combat-related, and the fire was contained; however, the cause remains undisclosed.

The fire did not impact the engine systems, and the USS Gerald R. Ford continues normal operations. Two sailors received medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and are in stable condition, the Fifth Fleet Command stated.

The Ford carrier strike group is currently operating in the Red Sea, supporting the US's "Horrific Fury" airstrike campaign against Iran.

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford passing through the Strait of Gibraltar in 10/2025. Photo: US Navy

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford passing through the Strait of Gibraltar in 10/2025. Photo: US Navy

The USS Gerald R. Ford holds the distinction of being the most expensive warship in US naval history, with a delivery cost approaching USD 13 billion. Despite its complexity, the vessel encountered significant challenges during construction, leading to schedule delays and budget increases. It has also experienced various malfunctions during its operational deployments.

Last month, US media outlets reported frequent clogging of the Ford's toilet system. This issue stems from design flaws and the ship's extended deployments at sea. The problem has become so persistent that some news sources have dubbed it a "toilet crisis" aboard the vessel.

A US Navy official confirmed that the ship's wastewater drainage system, which employs vacuum technology to move waste from approximately 650 toilets to a processing area, malfunctioned during the Ford's operational deployment, necessitating daily repairs by technicians.

In a 2020 report, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) identified a critical design flaw: the USS Gerald R. Ford's wastewater pipes were too narrow, unable to handle the flushing demands of its more than 4,000 crew members. Consequently, the US Navy must employ special chemicals to clear clogged toilets, incurring a cost of approximately USD 400,000 per application.