US carrier Ford arrives in Croatia for repairs after fire

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Independent

Saturday 28 March 2026 07:20 EDT


The USS Gerald R. Ford, the United States' newest and largest aircraft carrier, has anchored in Croatia's Adriatic port of Split on Saturday for essential repairs and maintenance. Its arrival follows a nine-month deployment that included U.S.-Israeli operations against Iran and missions in the Red Sea.

The warship's stop comes after a non-combat fire erupted in its main laundry room on 12 March, while it was operating in the Red Sea as part of Operation Epic Fury. Three sailors were injured and nearly 200 others were treated for smoke inhalation, a US official stated. The blaze, which took hours to control, also affected approximately 100 sleeping berths. The carrier had also participated in operations against Venezuela in the Caribbean prior to its Middle East deployment.

It has been plagued by plumbing problems during its deployment, affecting the nearly 650 toilets.

The Ford had temporarily stopped at Souda Bay on the Greek island ​of Crete. The government of Croatia, which is a NATO-ally of the U.S., approved its arrival earlier this week.

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/carrier-ford-croatia-hit-repairs-b2947560.html

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REFERENCE - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143634731

So the carrier went a further 1000 or so miles further north from Crete (which earlier stories claimed would be where repairs were to be made), and sailed all the way to Croatia. Looks like it's done with engagements.

[James48]

1. Very odd to me.

The U.S. Navy has a substantial base at Souda Bay, Crete.

Why on earth would they go first to Souda Bay, and then decide to move to Croatia for repairs? What facilities do they have in Croatia that they don’t have in Crete?

Something isn’t right. The damage must be severe if they can’t handle repairs at Souda Bay.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. That's why I posted what I did

and indicated that it was probably "done" with engagements for now.

Souda Bay base looks like this -



And with the USS Harry Truman docked -



Apparently we have a new joint training facility in Split, Croatia - EOD Training Facility Construction at Lora Naval Base Breaks Ground (from 2021) It's for ships operating under the 6th Fleet.

[70sEraVet]

2. I hope they can get most of the sailors off that ship and into barracks

Between toilets malfunctioning and the constant stench of smoke, they need a break.

[James48]

3. Interesting.

It left Souda Bay, Crete after local Anti-American demonstrations broke out.

From an article:
“ Greek media report that the carrier departed Souda Bay on Crete “urgently,” cutting short planned maintenance. While the vessel had been undergoing repairs following a recent onboard fire, protests against its presence in the region are also believed to have influenced the decision.

Officials are said to have opted for relocation to Split to ensure a calmer environment and more favourable conditions for ongoing technical work.

The U.S. Navy has not yet officially confirmed the updated schedule, but multiple European reports suggest the carrier is already en route to the Adriatic, where it has docked on previous occasions as part of bilateral military cooperation.”

Source: https://www.thedubrovniktimes.com/news/croatia/item/19641-world-s-largest-u-s-aircraft-carrier-heads-to-split-after-early-departure-from-greece

[BumRushDaShow]

5. IIRC

Iran lobbed some drones at Cyprus targeting the UK base there and Crete is just a hop, skip, and a jump further west.

(ETA and Iran fired a long range ballistic missile aimed at Diego Garcia and that is a good distance away... and although it apparently didn't make it, per some news reports, that sort of freaked everyone out)

[blue-wave]

6. Wait!

We're using the facilities located in the confines of those dirty stinkin' no-good European allies of ours? They can't even figure out that they have no cards! Don't we know better?

[Botany]

7. Drone Bait.

N/t

[republianmushroom]

8. Don't want the American people to see the damage ?

[hunter]

9. Here in the 21st century aircraft carriers are obsolete.

The Gerald Ford and its aircraft cost too much to place in harm's way.