USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Greece for repairs after Red Sea duty

2026-03-23 - 19:40

The US Navy’s 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,” according to a statement from the US 6th Fleet. The port call at the Greek island will allow the vessel to undergo assessment, repairs and resupply, the Navy said, adding that the carrier remains fully mission capable as its strike group continues deployment. Recent fire and deployment context The arrival follows a fire incident aboard the carrier earlier this month in its main laundry area, which prompted a large damage control response. US officials stated the blaze was not combat-related and was quickly contained, though reports indicated more than 600 sailors were displaced from their sleeping quarters. The carrier strike group had been operating in the Red Sea in support of the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran, which began Feb. 28. Regional conflict and Türkiye’s position The Ford’s arrival at Souda Bay—a strategically significant NATO facility—occurs as the US-Israeli offensive against Iran enters its fourth week. Iranian authorities report more than 1,300 fatalities since the war began, including senior leaders. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf states hosting US military assets, disrupting global markets and aviation. Türkiye, a NATO ally with a key naval presence in the Eastern Mediterranean, continues to monitor the conflict’s spillover effects closely, advocating for de-escalation and emphasizing the importance of regional stability for its own security and economic interests.