• Aircraft Carriers
• Losses and Aviation Safety
• Naval Warfare

USS Gerald R. Ford suffers Fire

On March 12, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) experienced a fire that originated in the ship’s main laundry spaces, the US 5th Fleet said in a statement. The cause of the fire was not combat-related and is contained.

There is no damage to the ship’s propulsion plant, and the aircraft carrier remains fully operational.

Two Sailors are currently receiving medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and are in stable condition. Additional information will be provided when available.

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is currently operating in the Red Sea in support of Operation Epic Fury.

CVW-8

Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8) is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford.

CVW-8 consists of eight squadrons.

• VFA-31 Strike Fighter Squadron 31 Tomcatters F/A-18E Super Hornet
• VFA-37 Strike Fighter Squadron 37 Ragin Bulls F/A-18E Super Hornet
• VFA-87 Strike Fighter Squadron 87 Golden Warriors F/A-18E Super Hornet
• VFA-213 Strike Fighter Squadron 213 Black Lions F/A-18F Super Hornet
• VAW-124 Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 124 Bear Aces E-2D Hawkeye
• VAQ-142 Electronic Attack Squadron 142 Gray Wolves EA-18G Growler
• VRC-40 Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 Det. 2 Rawhides C-2A Greyhound
• HSC-9 Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 9 Tridents MH-60S Seahawk
• HSM-70 Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 70 Spartans MH-60R Seahawk

The replacement for Enterprise and Nimitz-class aircraft carriers

Aircraft carriers continue to be the centerpiece of America’s Naval forces necessary for operating forward. In times of crisis, the first question leaders ask is: “Where are the carriers?”Often the presence of an aircraft carrier has deterred potential adversaries from striking against US interests.

Aircraft carriers support and operate aircraft that engage in attacks on airborne, afloat and ashore targets that threaten free use of the sea and engage in sustained power projection operations in support of US and coalition forces.

The Nimitz and Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers are the largest warships in the world, each designed for an approximately 50-year service life with just a single mid-life refueling.

The Gerald R. Ford-class is the replacement for Enterprise and Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. The lead ship, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), was commissioned in 2017. The Gerald R. Ford-class will be the premier forward asset for crisis response and early decisive striking power in a major combat operation.

Photo credit: US Navy