Newly obtained video footage has revealed the extent of damage suffered by the USS Gerald R Ford after a fire broke out on board the US Navy aircraft carrier in March. The blaze, which the Navy initially claimed was contained, caused severe damage to parts of the ship, contradicting earlier statements that the vessel remained fully operational.
The footage shows twisted bunks, charred metal, dangling wires, and debris littering the affected areas. One sailor, speaking anonymously to avoid retaliation, said, 'I seriously thought we were going to lose the ship.' He added that the fire-suppression system should have prevented the situation from escalating.
The fire took approximately 30 hours to extinguish, and around 600 sailors lost access to their bunks. The USS Ford, a £9.6 billion vessel, was supporting US military operations against Iran at the time. The ship was forced to dock at Souda Bay, Crete, for temporary repairs and was unable to fly sorties for two days following the incident.
Despite the damage, Admiral Daryl Caudle praised the crew's response, stating they fought the fire 'brilliantly and courageously' and returned to action within days. The carrier had played a key role in strikes against Iranian assets and faced persistent threats from missiles and drones.
