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USS Gerald R. Ford Departs Croatia and Resumes Operations After Laundry-Room Fire

The departure signals a push to keep U.S. carrier coverage in the Middle East with George H.W. Bush heading toward CENTCOM.

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U.S. Sailors conduct routine flight deck operations on the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), while underway in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, March 22, 2026. Gerald R. Ford is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support the warfighting effectiveness, lethality and readiness of U.S. Naval Forces Europe Africa, and defend U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tajh Payne)
Carrier Air Wing 8 F/A-18E Super Hornets attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 37 fly by the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), during the squadron's in-flight change of command ceremony, August 1, 2025. Gerald R. Ford, a first-in-class nuclear aircraft carrier and deployed flagship of Carrier Strike Group Twelve, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support the warfighting effectiveness, lethality, and readiness of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and defend U.S., Allied, and partner interests in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brianna Barnett)
ATLANTIC OCEAN (March 31, 2026) Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) departs Naval Station Norfolk for a regularly scheduled deployment. The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group departed Naval Station Norfolk on March 31, 2026. The strike group, comprised of nearly 5,000 Sailors, provides combatant commanders and America’s civilian leaders increased capacity to underpin American security and economic prosperity, deter adversaries, and project power on a global scale through sustained operations at sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jayden Brown)

Overview

  • The carrier, which left Split on Thursday after a five-day repair and liberty stop, has returned to duty with its next destination undisclosed.
  • Navy officials say the ship remains poised for full mission tasking after crews restored damaged berthing in Souda Bay and completed additional work and resupply in Split.
  • Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle said the March 12 laundry fire halted flight operations for two days, injured sailors, and forced about 600 crew members out of their bunks.
  • A law-enforcement investigation into the non-combat blaze is ongoing under NCIS with support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Navy has not released a cause.
  • The USS George H.W. Bush left Norfolk on Tuesday for a deployment reported to be bound for the Middle East, a move that bolsters regional carrier presence as Ford’s tour is expected to stretch into an 11th month.