Fire on USS Gerald R. Ford Injures Two Sailors

Two U.S. sailors sustained non-life-threatening injuries in a fire that broke out Thursday aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford while the vessel operated in the Red Sea. The blaze, which originated in the ship's main laundry facility, was quickly contained by the crew and caused no damage to the propulsion system or flight operations, according to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.

The sailors received medical treatment and remain in stable condition, officials said. An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway, but authorities confirmed it was not related to combat activities. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy's newest and largest nuclear-powered carrier with more than 5,000 personnel and up to 75 aircraft including F/A-18 Super Hornets, continues to function fully as part of its ongoing mission.

The carrier strike group is supporting Operation Epic Fury, a U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran that began with initial strikes on February 28. The operation targets Iranian missile production, nuclear facilities, air force assets, and naval infrastructure. In response, Iran has launched hundreds of ballistic missiles and thousands of drones at...