USS Gerald R. Ford enters maintenance after fire and plumbing issues
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard on July 9, 2026, for repairs after a record 326-day deployment supporting U.S. operations against Iran. During deployment, a non-combat laundry room fire injured multiple sailors and damaged 100 berths, while persistent vacuum toilet failures caused 205 breakdowns in four days. The Navy downplayed the plumbing issues, attributing them to improper operation. Maintenance includes modernizations and inspections, expected to finish early.
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USS Gerald R. Ford to Be Out of Action for 18 Months Due to Fire Damage and Sewage System Failures
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the U.S. Navy's newest nuclear-powered supercarrier, has entered a planned incremental availability (PIA) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard expected to last 18 months, significantly longer than the typical 6-8 month maintenance period. The extended downtime is due to a combination of extensive fire damage from a March 2026 blaze that affected 100 berthing spaces and injured 200 sailors, and repeated failures of the ship's vacuum sewage system serving 650 toilets. The fire, which started in the main aft laundry room, required emergency repairs at Souda Bay, Crete. The sewage system has experienced 205 toilet failures over four days in 2025 alone, with 42 repair requests since 2023. The maintenance will involve approximately 4,000 workers inspecting and repairing catapults, arresting gear, weapons elevators, propulsion systems, and the Vacuum Collection, Holding and Transfer (VCHT) system. This is the first time a Ford-class carrier has undergone a PIA at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and the work is complicated by a shortage of qualified shipyard workers post-pandemic.
19FortyFiveUSS Gerald R. Ford to Be Out of Action for 18 Months Due to Fire Damage and Sewage System Failures
The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the U.S. Navy's newest Ford-class nuclear aircraft carrier, has entered a planned incremental availability (PIA) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard expected to last 18 months—significantly longer than the typical 6-8 month maintenance period. The extended downtime is attributed to two major issues: extensive fire damage from a March blaze that started in the main aft laundry room, destroying 100 berthing spaces and injuring 200 sailors; and chronic failures of the ship's vacuum sewage system (VCHT), which serves 650 toilets. The system has required 42 repair calls since 2023, with 205 failures over four days in 2025 alone. The PIA will involve 4,000 workers conducting inspections and repairs on catapults, arresting gear, weapons elevators, propulsion systems, and berthing areas. The combination of fire repairs, plumbing overhaul, and a shortage of qualified shipyard workers has extended the maintenance timeline.
19FortyFiveUSS Gerald R. Ford to undergo maintenance after onboard fire and plumbing issues
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard on July 9, 2026, for scheduled repairs after completing a 326-day deployment, the longest post-Vietnam carrier deployment. The ship faced a non-combat fire in its main laundry room on March 12, injuring multiple sailors and damaging 100 sleeping berths, as well as persistent plumbing issues with its vacuum toilet system, which had 205 breakdowns over four days. The Navy stated the maintenance will include modernizations and inspections, and is expected to finish early. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle downplayed the toilet problems, saying they occur when procedures are not followed. The Ford operated in the Middle East in support of U.S. Central Command and Operation Epic Fury against Iran.
Navy TimesUSS Gerald R. Ford to undergo maintenance after onboard fire and plumbing issues
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard on July 9, 2026, for scheduled repairs after completing a 326-day deployment—the longest post-Vietnam carrier deployment. The ship returned to Naval Station Norfolk on May 16 following operations in the Middle East supporting U.S. Central Command and Operation Epic Fury against Iran. During deployment, a non-combat fire in the main laundry room on March 12 injured multiple sailors, caused smoke-related injuries among hundreds, and damaged 100 sleeping berths. The ship also faced significant plumbing issues with nearly 650 toilets, including 205 breakdowns over four days. The Navy said the maintenance period will include modernizations and inspections, and is expected to finish early. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle downplayed the toilet issues, stating they result from improper operation.
Military TimesUSS Gerald R. Ford to undergo maintenance after onboard fire and plumbing issues
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard on July 9, 2026, for scheduled repairs after completing a 326-day deployment—the longest post-Vietnam carrier deployment. The ship returned to Naval Station Norfolk on May 16 following operations in the Middle East supporting U.S. Central Command and Operation Epic Fury against Iran. During deployment, a non-combat fire in the main laundry room on March 12 injured multiple sailors, caused smoke-related injuries among hundreds, and damaged 100 sleeping berths. The ship also faced significant plumbing issues with nearly 650 toilets, including 205 breakdowns over four days. The Navy said the maintenance period will include modernizations and inspections, and is expected to finish early. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle downplayed the toilet issues, stating they result from improper operation.
Military TimesUSS Gerald R. Ford to undergo maintenance after onboard fire and plumbing issues
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard on July 9, 2026, for scheduled repairs after completing a 326-day deployment, the longest post-Vietnam carrier deployment. The ship returned to Naval Station Norfolk on May 16 following operations in the Middle East supporting U.S. Central Command and Operation Epic Fury against Iran. During deployment, a non-combat fire broke out in the main laundry room on March 12, injuring multiple sailors, causing smoke-related injuries among hundreds, and damaging 100 sleeping berths. The ship also faced significant plumbing issues with its nearly 650 toilets, attributed to a vacuum system problem. The Navy reported 205 toilet breakdowns over four days, though Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle claimed the problems were exaggerated. The maintenance period will include modernizations and inspections, and is expected to finish early.
Military TimesUSS Gerald R. Ford to undergo maintenance after onboard fire and plumbing issues
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, arrived at Norfolk Naval Shipyard on July 9, 2026, for scheduled repairs after completing a 326-day deployment, the longest post-Vietnam carrier deployment. The ship faced a non-combat fire in the main laundry room on March 12, injuring multiple sailors and damaging 100 sleeping berths, as well as significant plumbing issues with its vacuum toilet system, which had 205 breakdowns over four days. The carrier operated in the Middle East in support of U.S. Central Command and Operation Epic Fury against Iran. The maintenance period will include modernizations and inspections, and the Navy expects to finish early. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle downplayed the toilet issues, stating they result from improper operation.
Navy Times