Revealed: US Aircraft Carrier USS Gerald R Ford Severely Damaged by Fire Following Conflict with Iran

A fire incident involving a United States warship in the Middle East earlier this year is reported to be far more severe than what the Pentagon released to the public. This has come to light after CNN obtained video footage on Thursday (4/6/2026) showing the extent of the damage to the aircraft carrier.

When the fire aboard the USS Gerald R Ford was first reported last March, the US Navy issued an official statement claiming that the flames had been “successfully contained.” The release also stated that two sailors had sustained only “non-life-threatening injuries” and that the aircraft carrier remained “fully operational.”

However, recent video footage shows that the fire was much more serious and caused more extensive damage than the US Navy initially disclosed. Several sources also told CNN that the ship’s automatic fire-suppression system had failed to function properly.

The fire broke out while the USS Gerald R Ford was operating in the Middle East region. This operation was part of US involvement in the confrontational war between the US-Israel alliance and Iran, which has been ongoing since 28 February.

According to reports from The New York Times, military officials revealed that it took more than 30 hours to extinguish the flames. Due to the resulting damage, more than 600 military personnel were forced to lose their sleeping quarters.

In addition to the two personnel treated for “non-life-threatening injuries,” dozens of other military personnel were reported to have suffered from shortness of breath after inhaling thick smoke. Crew members who lost their beds were forced to sleep on floors and tables. As the fire originated in the main laundry area, sailors also temporarily lost access to laundry facilities.