Fire on US warship in Mideast leaves 600 sailors without beds

2026-03-17 - 06:52

A serious fire that erupted on the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier while operating in the Middle East has left more than 600 service members without proper sleeping quarters, the New York Times reported. The blaze, which broke out last week in the ship's main laundry area, required over 30 hours to bring under control. Military officials confirmed dozens of personnel suffered smoke inhalation, with two individuals treated for minor injuries. The affected crew members are now forced to sleep on floors and tables, and have no access to laundry facilities due to the fire's origin point. Extended deployment challenges The warship, carrying approximately 4,500 sailors and pilots, was originally ordered from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean last October by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as part of pressure tactics against Venezuela. Following that mission, the vessel was redirected to the Middle East for the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, now in its third week. The crew is approaching its 10th consecutive month at sea, with expectations the deployment could extend into May. If realized, this would surpass the 294-day record set by the USS Abraham Lincoln in 2020, marking the longest carrier deployment since the Vietnam War. Operational readiness questioned While US Central Command insists the fire caused "no damage to the ship's propulsion plant" and that the carrier "remains fully operational," crew members report frequent breakdowns in the vessel's plumbing system, affecting 650 toilets. Retired Rear Adm. John F. Kirby, who served as Pentagon press secretary, commented on the strain of extended operations, stating, "Ships get tired too, and they get beat up over the course of long deployments. You can't run a ship that long and that hard and expect her and her crew to perform at peak capacity." Despite these setbacks, Navy officials maintain the carrier continues conducting round-the-clock flight operations. Regional implications The incident highlights the immense logistical strain on US naval forces as they maintain a heavy presence in Middle Eastern waters amid escalating regional tensions. For regional actors like Türkiye, which advocates for de-escalation and diplomatic solutions, such developments underscore the risks of prolonged military engagements. The fire and subsequent hardships faced by the crew may fuel debates in Washington about the sustainability of extended deployments without adequate maintenance periods.