The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier that has been part of Middle East war operations, on Monday returned to a naval base in Crete, an AFP photographer said.
The vessel, which took on food, fuel and ammunition at Souda Bay in February, reported a laundry fire on March 12 which injured two crew members.
The United States and Israel launched a massive air campaign against Iran in late February following a major US military buildup in the Middle East that included the Ford and another aircraft carrier, the Abraham Lincoln.
Both ships — which have air wings made up of dozens of aircraft — have played key roles in Iran operations, and the withdrawal of the Ford leaves a gap for US forces in the region.
“Taking the Ford off the board for any significant length of time means less US support to war efforts,” said Daniel Schneiderman, director of global policy programs at Penn Washington.
“The Ford’s role in the defence of Israel is significant,” he said, while noting that if some of the ships accompanying it — which have key air defence capabilities — remain near Israel, then “the immediate term operational impact of its departure is somewhat mitigated.”
The Ford has been at sea for nearly nine months — a deployment that has already seen it take part in US operations in the Caribbean, where Washington’s forces have carried out strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats, interdicted sanctioned tankers and seized Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
A fire broke out in a laundry room aboard the carrier on March 12, injuring two sailors and causing major damage to some 100 beds, according to the US military.
The carrier has also reportedly suffered significant problems with its toilet system while at sea, with US media reporting clogs and long lines for restrooms on the ship.
Senator Mark Warner, the vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has sharply criticised the extended deployment of the ship.
“The Ford and its crew have been pushed to the brink after nearly a year at sea, and they have been paying the price for President Donald Trump’s reckless military decisions,” he said.
