Supercarrier Arrived In Croatia For Repairs, Is The Damage Serious?

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the United States Navy’s newest and largest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, We arrived in Split Port, Croatiaon Saturday. The supercarrier, whose laundry room caught fire earlier this month, had previously made a port visit to Souda Bay in Crete for much of last week; Here the ship was resupplied, additional aviation fuel was purchased, and preliminary repairs were carried out.

While in port on the Greek island, Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center personnel, comprised of structural engineers, naval architects and other subject matter experts, conducted an initial repair assessment, the U.S. Navy announced. Additionally, military and federal civilian law enforcement continued their investigation into a fire serious enough to require the ship to proceed to Split.

Emergency Repairs, But Not Fighting Systems

The fire aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford took hours to bring under control, and smoke damage affected nearly 100 sleeping berths on the supercarrier. The U.S. Navy did not specify how extensive the damage to the battleship was or what repairs were needed, but the work was more than could be done in Souda Bay.

Naval Historical Foundation staff historian USNR (Retired) Dr. David F. Winkler explained in an email that Souda Bay is a logistics hub and does not have the industrial repair facility necessary to perform significant maintenance on a U.S. aircraft carrier.

“Split has that,” Winkler added.

Lora Naval Base in Split was initially developed as a major military port for the Yugoslav Navy after World War II. It served as a major naval headquarters for the Yugoslav Navy from 1945 to 1991, and was taken over by the Croatian Navy following its establishment in September 1991.

“Croatia has capable shipyards that already maintain US support ships such as the USNS. Mount Whitney command ship and logistics ships. Souda Bay does not have a ship repair facility and is more of a fueling and replenishment station,” explained senior researcher Bryan Clark of the Hudson Institute.

We can assume that repairs to CVN-78 likely did not include launch and recovery systems, propulsion systems or combat systems, Clark said in an email.

“Probably mostly repairs to the laundry and surrounding bedding areas, so laundry equipment, insulation, lighting, interior partitions, etc.,” Clark said. he continued.

The Ministry of Defense also did not specify who was handling the maintenance, but repairs will likely be limited to less sensitive areas of the warship.

“The U.S. Navy already has contracts with some Croatian shipyards to do voyage repairs, so I assume they are on board with that work,” Clark said. “U.S. Fleet Forces will also likely send a team to oversee the repair and help ensure safety.

Carrier’s Next Maintenance Period Will Be Extended

Considering the time when the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford The aircraft carrier is unlikely to go to sea until 2027, or perhaps longer, after deployment when the warship finally returns to Naval Base Norfolk.

Any damage that cannot be repaired in Split, Croatia will need to be addressed in the next post-deployment maintenance cycle.

In addition, the CVN-78 still requires deck modifications to be deployed with the Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II, the carrier-specific version of the fifth-generation Joint Strike Fighter.

“Normally a carrier deploys for a seven-month period every three years, so once it returns it probably won’t be deployed for several years,” Clark said. “Every carrier has a maintenance period after returning from deployment that normally takes six months to a year to complete.”

Second Visit to Split

Starting Monday, USS Gerald R. Ford It has been deployed for 279 days and the battleship is likely Exceeded the post-Vietnam War record 294-day period determined by the US Navy Nimitz-class supercarrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in 2020. While most of CVN-78’s approximately 5,000 personnel are eager to return home, the crew will have the chance to tour the sights around Split.

USS Gerald R. Ford He last visited the Dalmatian city between October 21 and 26, 2025, and visited the US Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia, Nicole McGraw. Actually the supercarrier was in the port in Split when was it ordered To the Caribbean in support of U.S. Southern Command operations.

“The crew is excited to return to Split for the freedom they deserve,” said USS commander Capt. David Skarosi. Gerald R. Ford. “They have achieved a lot since our first visit in October. We are extremely grateful to the Croatian community for opening up their historical and beautiful city of Split to us once again.”

It’s unclear how long the carrier will remain in Split, but after that the U.S. Navy will decide whether to keep the USS. Gerald R. Ford He returns to the Middle East or returns home to Norfolk.