New issues found on USS Gerald R. Ford after laundry fire — Bloomberg

Several technical and operational problems have been identified on the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford following a laundry fire, Bloomberg reports, citing a Pentagon oversight office.

The carrier, which had been involved in operations against Iran in the Middle East, was sent to the Souda Bay base on the Greek island of Crete for repairs. Pentagon officials noted that there is currently insufficient data to accurately assess the ship’s combat readiness and the reliability of its key systems.

Major concerns include the reliability of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), arresting gear for aircraft landings, radar systems, and weapons elevators. Questions remain about the carrier’s ability to sustain prolonged flight operations and maintain combat effectiveness in case of damage.

Additionally, the ship faces a logistical issue: there are not enough berths for the full crew and temporary personnel.

According to the U.S. Navy, the laundry fire was not related to combat operations in the Middle East. Two sailors were injured during the incident, and dozens more suffered carbon monoxide poisoning. U.S. command emphasised that despite the fire, the carrier continued to perform its assigned missions.