USS Gerald R. Ford Fire Reveals Failures in Fire-Suppression System During Red Sea Deployment
A fire aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, caused significant damage while the ship was deployed in the Red Sea. The incident, which occurred in March, was initially downplayed by the Navy, but newly obtained video footage reveals extensive damage to the ship's interior, including destroyed bunks and charred metal. The fire-suppression system failed, forcing sailors to manually combat the blaze. The fire impacted the ship's operational capabilities, delaying sorties for two days and necessitating temporary repairs in Greece. The Navy's investigation into the fire is ongoing, and the ship is now facing a year of repairs following its record 11-month deployment.