Video footage has revealed the close call faced by the world’s largest aircraft carrier, despite previous assurances by the US Navy following a fire incident in March. The USS Gerald R Ford sustained significant damage due to a ‘system failure’ during an Iran attack, with a fire causing extensive destruction onboard several months ago. Initial reports from the US Navy had downplayed the severity of the situation, indicating that the fire had been contained.

Freshly obtained footage from CNN shows the aftermath of the fire on the USS Gerald R Ford, with images of charred metal and twisted bunks, indicating the extent of the damage. Sailors onboard the ship expressed their concerns, with one sailor admitting to fearing the loss of the vessel during the fire-fighting efforts in March.

Despite the Navy’s claims of the carrier being “fully operational” post-fire, it took the crew around 30 hours to completely extinguish the blaze and address potential hotspots. The fire not only impacted the ship’s operational capabilities but also led to a temporary halt in flight sorties. The USS Ford had to undergo repairs in Greece following the incident.

The USS Ford, a crucial asset in US military operations against Iran, faced challenges during its 11-month mission at sea, including the fire incident and other significant military events. The swift return to service following the fire was attributed to the crew’s resilience and training, according to maritime strategist Hunter Stires.

Stires highlighted the importance of damage control preparation and system redundancy in ensuring ship survivability, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of war and battle damage. The USS Ford, commissioned in 2017, is the most technologically advanced US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, boasting an electronic catapult system for launching various aircraft types.

Following the fire and wear-and-tear from its prolonged deployment, the USS Ford will undergo an extensive maintenance period, potentially keeping it out of service for at least a year. Plans may involve other ships bridging the operational gap during this period.