Split, Croatia — April 3, 2026 : The United States Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) has departed the Croatian port of Split after completing a five-day maintenance and repair period, restoring the vessel to full operational status following a non-combat onboard fire. Navy officials confirmed that the carrier has resumed its deployment schedule and is available for full mission tasking.
Maintenance Period Following Onboard Fire
The port visit, conducted from March 28 to April 2, followed a fire that broke out on March 12, 2026, while the carrier was operating in the Red Sea as part of Operation Epic Fury. The incident originated in the aft main laundry facility and spread through the ship’s ventilation system into adjacent compartments.
Damage control teams required more than 30 hours to fully extinguish the fire. While propulsion systems and combat capabilities remained unaffected, the blaze caused extensive smoke damage, disabled laundry operations, and impacted nearby berthing areas. Approximately 100 sleeping berths were damaged, and between 200 and 600 sailors were temporarily displaced due to habitability issues.
Medical evaluations reported two to three sailors sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while nearly 200 personnel were treated for smoke inhalation.
Repair and Recovery Operations
Initial damage control, inspection, and resupply operations were conducted at Souda Bay, Greece, between March 23 and March 26. The carrier subsequently transited to Split for further repairs and replenishment.
During the Croatia port call, U.S. Navy personnel, alongside local contractors and specialized maintenance teams, carried out interior restoration work, repaired affected compartments, and replenished critical supplies. Habitability conditions, including damaged berthing spaces, were restored, and essential equipment was replaced. The stop also allowed crew members a period of shore leave.
This visit marked the second time USS Gerald R. Ford has docked in Split during its current deployment, following a previous port call between October 21 and October 26, 2025.
Vessel Capabilities and Design
USS Gerald R. Ford is the lead ship of the Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and represents a significant technological advancement over the Nimitz-class. The vessel measures approximately 1,106 feet in length, with a full-load displacement exceeding 100,000 tons, making it the largest warship in the U.S. Navy. The program cost is estimated at $13.3 billion.
The carrier is powered by two Bechtel A1B nuclear reactors, generating nearly three times the electrical output of earlier carrier designs. This enables speeds exceeding 30 knots (approximately 56 km/h) and provides effectively unlimited operational range, constrained primarily by logistical support and maintenance cycles.
The ship is designed to operate with a reduced crew size compared to previous carrier classes due to increased automation across onboard systems.
Air Wing and Flight Operations
The carrier supports an embarked air wing of more than 75 aircraft. This includes F-35C Lightning II stealth fighters, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers for electronic warfare, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft, and MH-60 helicopters.
Its flight deck, measuring approximately 1,092 by 256 feet, incorporates the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), replacing traditional steam catapults. EMALS uses linear induction motors to provide smoother aircraft launches, reduce stress on airframes, and support a wider range of aircraft, including unmanned systems.
The ship also employs the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) system for aircraft recovery operations. Combined with an optimized deck layout and advanced weapons elevators, the carrier is capable of generating approximately 160 sorties per 12-hour day, with a surge capacity of up to 270 sorties in a 24-hour period.
Sensors and Defensive Systems
USS Gerald R. Ford is equipped with the Dual Band Radar (DBR), integrating S-band and X-band radar functions for enhanced tracking and targeting capabilities. Its defensive systems include RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM), Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM), and Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS), providing layered protection against aerial and missile threats.
Ongoing Deployment
The carrier departed Naval Station Norfolk on June 24, 2025, as the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 12. As of early April 2026, the deployment has extended to approximately 281 days and is projected to continue into an 11th month, making it the longest U.S. aircraft carrier deployment since the Vietnam War era.
Throughout the deployment, USS Gerald R. Ford has conducted operations in multiple regions, including the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Middle East, with sustained strike missions carried out in the Red Sea.
Return to Operations
Following completion of repairs and system checks in Split, Navy officials confirmed that the carrier has returned to full mission capability. The ship is expected to continue operations in the Mediterranean or Red Sea region, supporting U.S. strategic and security objectives.
An investigation into the cause of the March 12 laundry facility fire remains ongoing.
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