US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Greece for repairs after Red Sea deployment
Carrier arrives at Crete for repairs after Red Sea deployment for Iran war, as US Navy says ship remains mission capable despite recent fire incident
WASHINGTON
The US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrived Monday at Crete’s Naval Support Activity Souda Bay for "maintenance and repairs following operations in the Red Sea," the US Navy said on Monday.
The US Navy's 6th Fleet said in a statement that the port call at the Greek island will allow the vessel to undergo "assessment, repairs, and resupply," adding that the carrier remains fully mission capable as its strike group continues deployment.
"Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group continues its overseas deployment," it added.
The move comes days after US officials indicated the carrier strike group was operating in the Red Sea in support of the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran.
Earlier this month, a fire broke out aboard the carrier in its main laundry area, prompting a large damage control response.
US officials said the blaze was not combat-related and was contained, but reports said more than 600 sailors were displaced from their sleeping quarters.
Regional escalation has continued since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28. Iranian authorities say over 1,300 people have been killed since the war began, along with senior leaders including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior official Ali Larijani.
Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.
