Video Reveals the Extent of Damage to the U.S. Aircraft Carrier Gerald Ford Following a Major Iranian Attack
CNN Releases Unprecedented Footage of Fire and Destruction Inside the American Carrier; Reports Indicate Repairs Could Last More Than a Year
NYN | Reports and Analyses
CNN has published an exclusive investigation supported by internal videos and photographs that, for the first time, reveal the extent of the damage sustained by the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford following an Iranian missile and drone attack last March.
The footage shows evidence of a large-scale fire and extensive destruction in several sections of the carrier, including hanging electrical cables, charred components, and areas that had melted under intense heat, in what is described as one of the most serious incidents involving the newest aircraft carrier in the U.S. fleet.
Damage Beyond the Official Narrative
According to the investigation aired by the American network, the damage inflicted on the carrier was far greater than what the U.S. Navy had previously disclosed, despite efforts to downplay the impact of the Iranian attack on the vessel’s operational capabilities.
Sailors from the ship’s crew and U.S. officials confirmed that the fire directly affected the carrier’s readiness, forcing it to head to a Greek port for repairs described as “substantial and complex.”
Firefighting System Failure
The investigation revealed that the carrier’s primary fire suppression system failed to contain the blaze during the first hours of the incident, compelling crew members to conduct manual firefighting operations that lasted approximately 30 consecutive hours.
The report also noted that the aftermath of the fire prevented nearly 600 sailors from accessing their living quarters aboard the carrier due to the extensive damage sustained by numerous compartments and internal passageways.
Long-Term Repairs
According to information cited by CNN, the USS Gerald R. Ford remains undergoing intensive maintenance and repair work, with expectations that these efforts could continue for a year or longer before the carrier regains full operational readiness and is able to return to active service.
The release of this footage comes amid ongoing debate over the extent of the losses suffered by U.S. forces during the recent confrontation with Iran and whether official accounts have accurately reflected the true scale of the damage sustained by American military assets.
