Fire on USS Gerald R. Ford: Two Sailors Injured, Carrier Remains Operational

Fire Breaks Out on USS Gerald R. Ford

A fire on USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) erupted today but has since been extinguished. According to early reports, the blaze started in the main laundry area and is unrelated to combat operations.

Sailors Injured and Current Status

Two sailors sustained minor injuries and are receiving medical care. The ship continues to operate at full capacity.

The Naval Sea Systems Command regional maintenance center is preparing support for the fleet.

Location and Operations of the Carrier Group

The USS Gerald R. Ford is currently in the northern Red Sea, near Al Wajh, Saudi Arabia.

The carrier is accompanied by three escort ships:
- USS Mahan (DDG-72)
- USS Bainbridge (DDG-96)
- USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81)

The strike group recently transited the Suez Canal and is participating in Operation “Epic Fury,” a U.S.-Israeli military campaign targeting Iran, now in its second week.

CENTCOM Statement and Ongoing Support

CENTCOM confirmed via X that:

“On March 12, a fire occurred in the main laundry aboard USS Gerald R. Ford. The cause is not related to combat. The fire is contained. There is no damage to propulsion systems, and the ship remains fully operational. Two sailors are receiving non-life-threatening medical treatment and are stable. More information will be released as it becomes available.”

🇺🇸CSG-12 Reconstituting in the Red Sea

OSINT Update (Mar 11 📷): Carrier Strike Group 12 is actively building up its combat power in the Red Sea.

Following my March 7th update where the USS Gerald R. Ford was operating with a single escort, new imagery confirms the defensive… pic.twitter.com/Y3As2jjUTM
— MT Anderson (@MT_Anderson) March 12, 2026