USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier leaves Middle East amid Iran fight
Trump halts strikes on Iranian power for five days amid talks to reopen Hormuz Strait | RISING
The United States’ largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, on Monday reached Crete, Greece for repairs after leaving the Middle East due to a fire onboard.
Photos from AFP show the aircraft carrier arrived at Souda Bay naval base, where it had last stopped in February for food, fuel and ammunition. The ship was damaged due to a fire in the laundry room on March 12 amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war in Iran.
With the Ford now in Greece, the U.S. military only has one aircraft carrier in the war against Iran unless Washington sends another such vessel to replace it, leaving a gap for U.S. forces in the Middle East.
The Navy said the Gerald R. Ford arrived at Souda Bay for maintenance and repairs on Monday but “remains fully mission capable.”
“The port call allows for the ship to undergo efficient assessment, repairs, and resupply. Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group continues its overseas deployment,” it said in a statement.
The ship, along with the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, has played a key role in the Trump administration’s war against Tehran, housing dozens of aircraft and thousands of service members supporting a massive air campaign against Iran.
The Ford has been at sea for nearly nine months after departing Norfolk, Va., in June, initially sent to the European theater. The vessel was then ordered to head to the Caribbean as the Pentagon was establishing a massive military presence near Venezuela.
That operation led to the capture and ouster of the Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, numerous strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats, and interdiction of sanctioned tankers.
Then, in early February, the Ford was ordered to the Persian Gulf region as tensions climbed between Washington and Tehran.
The ship has experienced problems since arriving in the Middle East, reportedly suffering issues with its toilet system followed by the laundry room fire, which injured two sailors and damaged some 100 beds.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the vice-chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, last week criticized ship’s extended deployment, calling the fire “incredibly concerning.”
“The Ford and its crew have been pushed to the brink after nearly a year at sea, and they have been paying the price for President Donald Trump’s reckless military decisions,” Warner said in a statement.
Updated: 1:31 p.m. EDT
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All Comments
Comment by John Tokalenko.
USS Ford will not be battle-ready for at least several months, and that's contingent on proper repairs in Virginia.
Comment by may21for25.
What they figured out China might try and take Tiawan?
Comment by nathanw91.
Battle of the Gerald Ford
Part of the US-Iranian Naval War
Casualties - Two injuries, one hundred beds damaged, 650 toilets clogged, one aircraft carrier incapacitated, martial and maritime pride crippled, ancestors shamed
Reply by dcasali.
Well said!
Comment by skeagles67.
Mark Warner. Now there's some authority.
Comment by BJL.
Democrats not taking this news well
Reply by bwsoptout.
the news the ship was damaged and left the war? That's not a win.
Comment by CarlTuckerson.
CVN78 is headed back to Norfolk, VA for major repairs after the 30 day fire destroyed ships laundry and all of the toilet systems (650) plugged up.
Comment by neeste.
The British offered to send an aircraft carrier, but Trump said their offer was too late, the war was over.
Comment by halomusic601.
Man, is this an expensive war or what? Did we just throwaway billions on a bunch of nonsense?
trump is showing the world that he and this administration have no clue of what their doing. The ship is going in for repairs, the war is not going to end with more bombings, the strait remains closed, and trump still acts like he can lie his way into some unknown victory. What a bad move to start a war that was never needed.
Reply by bwsoptout.
Agree....T IS DERANGED. 100%.
Reply by halfgig57.
Yes, Trump and his butt kissers have Trump Devotion Syndrome 24/7, including you.
Comment by fourprs.
Repair, Replenish, Return to Iran and finish the job THEN go home!
Reply by diamondsatellite.
No I doubt that then the media will be talking about Epstein and trump again
Comment by keizerdon1.
probably to be deployed to Cuba next. Out short attention span fearless child leader has other fish to fry.
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