The USS Gerald R. Ford, the US Navy’s newest and largest aircraft carrier, has anchored in the Croatian port of Split for repairs and maintenance after months of deployment in US‑Israeli operations against Iran.
The carrier had been operating in the Red Sea as part of Operation Epic Fury when a non‑combat fire broke out in its main laundry room on March 12, injuring three sailors. Nearly 200 crew members were also treated for smoke‑related issues. The blaze took hours to contain and damaged around 100 sleeping berths, a US official said at the time.
Before arriving in the Middle East, the Ford had already spent months at sea, including involvement in operations targeting Venezuela in the Caribbean. The nine‑month deployment has been marred by persistent plumbing issues, affecting nearly 650 toilets aboard the ship.
The carrier made a brief stop at Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete before Croatia a NATO ally approved its arrival earlier this week.
“During its visit, the USS Gerald R. Ford will host local officials and key leaders to reaffirm the strong and enduring alliance between the United States and Croatia,” the US Embassy in Croatia said in a statement.
Staffed by more than 5,000 sailors, the Ford carries over 75 military aircraft, including F‑18 Super Hornets, and features one of the Navy’s most advanced radar and air‑traffic control systems.
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