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USS Gerald R. Ford Returns to Middle East Operations Following March Fire Repairs
The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group has returned to the Middle East following a month of repairs after a fire in its laundry area. U.S. officials rejected Iranian claims of an attack causing the damage. The carrier joins an expanding U.S. military presence in the region amid ongoing operations.
Apr 20, 6:50 PM·1m read1 source
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Ford aircraft carrier strike group redeployed to the Middle East over the weekend after a month in port for repairs, Pentagon statements confirmed. ZeroHedge reported that the vessel, described as the world's largest aircraft carrier, returned to operations following a fire in its laundry area on March 12, 2026.
The incident injured sailors and required significant maintenance work. U.S. and military officials rejected claims that the USS Gerald R. Ford was damaged by an Iranian attack, as Tehran stated. U.S. military buildup in the region. W. Bush is expected to join soon.
The fire broke out aboard the USS Gerald R.
Ford while it was transiting the Red Sea last month, triggering a major damage-control response. ZeroHedge reported that the blaze occurred in the ship's main laundry facility, forcing the vessel to divert for repairs. Maintenance on the USS Gerald R.
Ford was completed at the port of Split, Croatia. The USS Gerald R. Ford returned to operations after the fire repairs. U.S. and Israel launched military operations against Iran. ZeroHedge noted that during its extended deployment, the carrier has faced reports of technical problems, including plumbing failures that caused sewage system backups.
Carriers in the Middle East would reach three. U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. W. Bush carrier group is taking a long route to the Middle East to avoid the Bab al-Mandab Strait and Houthis. The USS Gerald R. Ford operated in the Caribbean earlier this year, including missions targeting suspected drug trafficking. U.S. operation against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
