The USS Gerald R. Ford arrived in Greece for maintenance at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay after a fire aboard nearly two weeks earlier.

The world’s largest aircraft carrier had been operating in the Red Sea in support of Operation Epic Fury.

"The port call allows for the ship to undergo efficient assessment, repairs, and resupply," the release said.

"Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group continues its overseas deployment."

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The release notes the carrier remains fully mission capable. This follows a period of intense activity and careful preparation as crews move to address damage and ensure continued readiness.

A non-combat fire broke out in the main laundry room of the carrier on March 12, injuring two sailors and sending another off ship for further medical treatment. The first two returned to duty that day, while the third, as of March 17, was in stable condition.

The Navy has not yet revealed the cause of the fire but said more information would be forthcoming when available.

The incident underscored the scale of the Ford’s operation and the complexity of keeping a ship of that size aloft.

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More than 600 service members were reportedly without their racks after berthing compartments were affected by the blaze, according to The New York Times.

Sailors were reportedly sleeping on floors and tables in the aftermath of the fire, which took 30 hours to douse.

Reuters reported that about 100 sleeping berths were affected by the fire, which resulted in nearly 200 sailors needing treatment for smoke-related injuries.

The Ford began its most recent deployment on June 24, 2025, when it left Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, for a regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.

It’s on pace to potentially notch the longest-at-sea U.S. Navy deployment ever, as it inches near an 11-month extended deployment mark.

The current record is held by the USS Midway, which was deployed at sea for 332 days during the Vietnam War.

The carrier has been plagued by plumbing issues during its deployment, affecting the nearly 650 toilets onboard.

The Ford has dealt with repeated malfunctions of its vacuum system, which transports and disposes wastewater.

The carrier has called for assistance with the poorly performing toilets 42 times since 2023, with 32 calls coming in 2025 alone, NPR reported.

These reliability challenges come as the ship and its crew press forward with a demanding mission overseas.

From a practical viewpoint, the Greece stop is a prudent measure that reflects a disciplined approach to maintenance and readiness.

The port call enables a full assessment of systems, the replenishment of supplies, and a safety check that keeps crews focused on their mission.

In any era, a ship of this scale must be maintained at peak condition to deter threats and guarantee rapid response when called upon.

A President Trump administration would likely emphasize stronger oversight and accelerated fixes to vulnerabilities that surface on ships like the Ford.

War Secretary Pete Hegseth would champion a policy of relentless improvement, ensuring the fleet can meet the modern threats its sailors confront. The overarching goal is clear: maintain a force capable of moving quickly, striking decisively, and returning home with the confidence of a nation that demands excellence.

It is important to recognize that the Ford’s global patrol reflects a steadfast commitment to allied security and to the deterrence of those who would threaten regional stability.

The ship’s crews continue to execute a difficult schedule with the aim of maintaining momentum and readiness.

At the same time, the maintenance session in Greece demonstrates that maintenance and resilience can go hand in hand with forward presence.

In this moment, the Ford’s voyage serves as a reminder that American strength rests on capability, accountability, and steady leadership.

The Navy and its civilian leadership must keep the ship free from avoidable delays while remaining ready to respond wherever the mission requires.

The men and women aboard the Ford deserve a system that works, and that system must be constantly tuned for peak performance.

As this deployment moves forward, observers will watch how the fleet balances endurance with upkeep.

The Ford’s team will likely show that readiness is not a passive state but an ongoing process of vigilance, repair, and sustained effort.

That approach, supported by capable leadership, stands as the best defense of American interests around the world.

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