World’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford catches fire in the Red Sea
Two sailors have been left injured after the world’s largest aircraft carrier caught fire during its operational activities.
The US Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford was operating in the Red Sea when it came alight.
The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier’s strike group is currently operating in the Red Sea in support of Operation Epic Fury, which is Donald Trump’s codename for the Iran War.
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said in a statement: ‘On March 12, the USS Gerald R. Ford experienced a fire that originated in the ship’s main laundry spaces. The cause of the fire was not combat-related and is contained.
‘There is no damage to the ship’s propulsion plant, and the aircraft carrier remains fully operational.’
The statement added that two sailors are receiving medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is currently operating in the Red Sea in support of Operation Epic Fury.
Construction on the warship started in 2009 and was finally completed in 2017, when Trump launched it.
The Ford has more than 5,000 soldiers onboard and roughly 75 aircraft – including F-18 Super Hornet Jets.
Fighter jets have been launching from the supercarrier’s deck as the Navy conducts flight operations in support of Operation Epic Fury against Iran.
Deck crew members were visible in footage released this week of the operations, seen guiding the aircraft into position before the jets accelerated along the runway and lifted off from the carrier.
The USS Ford has been deployed since June last year, when it was sent to Europe for routine duties.
It then travelled to the Caribbean in support of the US Southern Command in counter-narcotics efforts.
Just last week, the ship and its support boats sailed through the Suez Canal to reach the Middle East after Trump declared war on Iran.
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