USS Gerald R. Ford Resumes Operations After Maintenance Stop in Croatia
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the U.S. Navy's largest aircraft carrier, has returned to sea following a five-day port call in Split, Croatia. This stop was part of a series of maintenance efforts addressing issues that have affected the carrier's participation in combat operations against Iran. Notably, a non-combat fire in the ship's laundry room on March 12 resulted in injuries to several sailors and damage to 100 sleeping berths. Additionally, the carrier has faced persistent plumbing problems, with clogs affecting its 650 toilets. Despite these challenges, the USS Gerald R. Ford remains ready for full mission tasking in support of national objectives. The carrier has been deployed for over nine months, having left its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, on June 24, 2025, and has operated in various regions including the Arctic Circle, Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Red Sea. 
