USS Gerald R. Ford Back on the Move After Repairs, Arrives in Croatia

Uss Gerald R. Ford Cvn78 - Photo by: D173457Q Brian - ShipSpotting.com

The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is back underway following a short maintenance stop in the Mediterranean, as tensions and deployments continue to shift across multiple regions.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa confirmed that the carrier departed Souda Bay after a brief stay and arrived at the Port of Split on March 29. The visit marks the ship’s second stop in Split during its current deployment, following a previous visit between October 21 and 26, 2025.

Fire in the Red Sea Prompted Repairs

The stop in Crete came after the carrier transited from the Red Sea, where a fire broke out in the ship’s laundry facilities. The incident reportedly spread through the ventilation system and damaged multiple berthing areas, affecting the sleeping quarters of sailors on board. Maintenance personnel, including structural engineers and naval architects, conducted damage assessments and worked alongside ship personnel and local industry partners to repair seven affected compartments.

Investigations into the fire remain ongoing, with military and federal civilian law enforcement involved. The carrier stayed at Souda Bay from March 23 to March 26 while repairs were completed and assessments conducted.

Crew Receives Liberty in Croatia

Capt. David Skarosi, commanding officer of the carrier, said the crew was receiving “some well-deserved liberty” while in Split. The visit offers sailors a break after months of extended deployment operations across multiple regions.

The deployment has been extensive. Since departing Naval Station Norfolk on June 24, 2025, the carrier has operated in:

1. Norway and the Arctic
2. The Mediterranean Sea
3. The Caribbean
4. A return to the Mediterranean
5. The Red Sea

This extended deployment has fueled speculation about how long the mission may continue.

Propaganda and Operational Pressure

The carrier’s temporary withdrawal from frontline operations also drew attention from Iranian media and propaganda outlets, which claimed the ship failed to enter combat before withdrawing due to the fire. Despite these claims, U.S. officials emphasized the maintenance stop was precautionary and part of routine operational readiness.

The Navy also confirmed that the carrier is currently operating alongside the USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81) while deployed to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.

Additional U.S. Naval Movements

Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command confirmed that the USS Tripoli (LHA-7) arrived in its area of responsibility on March 27. The amphibious assault ship serves as the flagship of an Amphibious Ready Group consisting of roughly 3,500 sailors and Marines, supported by aircraft, amphibious assault vehicles, and tactical assets.

There are also unconfirmed reports suggesting that the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) carrier strike group may be underway from Virginia following training exercises, potentially signaling further adjustments to U.S. naval deployments.