WASHINGTON: Newly released footage broadcast by CNN has shed fresh light on the extent of damage caused by a fire aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford, the United States Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, during operations in March.
According to CNN, the video reveals significant destruction in parts of the vessel, raising questions about the severity of the incident and the initial public description provided by the US Navy.
A new video released by CNN on Thursday showed the severe damage of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier in a fire in March as it took part in operations against Iran. The US Navy once released a short statement saying the blaze had been “contained,” and that the carrier was… pic.twitter.com/xifLjc3F5Q
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) June 5, 2026
At the time of the fire, naval officials issued a brief statement saying the blaze had been contained and that the carrier remained fully operational.
However, the newly aired footage appears to show extensive damage inside the ship. Areas used as sleeping quarters for sailors were reportedly left heavily damaged, with rows of bunks completely destroyed by the fire.
Images from inside the vessel indicate that some sections suffered intense heat and smoke damage, suggesting that the incident may have had a greater operational impact than initially understood.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the lead ship of the Ford-class aircraft carriers, is one of the most advanced warships in the US fleet and plays a central role in American naval operations. The vessel was engaged in activities linked to tensions involving Iran when the fire occurred.
While the Navy previously maintained that the carrier continued functioning after the blaze was brought under control, the footage released by CNN has prompted renewed scrutiny of the incident and the extent of damage sustained aboard the ship.
US naval authorities have not publicly revised their earlier assessment of the carrier’s operational status. It remains unclear whether additional repairs were required following the incident or whether the newly revealed damage affected the ship’s readiness in the weeks after the fire.
The footage is likely to draw further attention from defence analysts and lawmakers seeking greater transparency regarding incidents involving major military assets and the accuracy of official disclosures concerning operational readiness.
