The United States aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford arrived in Split, Croatia, for repairs and maintenance after a non-combat fire broke out in its main laundry room while operating in the Red Sea. The incident, which occurred during support operations linked to tensions with Iran, injured three sailors and led to nearly 200 crew members being treated for smoke-related issues. The fire took hours to contain and damaged around 100 sleeping berths.

The carrier has been deployed for nine months and previously participated in operations in the Caribbean before heading to the Middle East. During its deployment, the vessel also faced ongoing plumbing problems that affected hundreds of onboard toilets. It briefly stopped at Souda Bay in Greece before continuing to Croatia.

Croatia, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, approved the ship’s arrival. During the visit, the carrier is expected to host local officials to highlight the longstanding alliance between the United States and Croatia. The ship carries more than 5,000 sailors and over 75 military aircraft, including advanced fighter jets, and is equipped with a sophisticated radar system.