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Bloomberg • Kavita Mokha

Macron names next French nuclear carrier 'France Libre'

President Emmanuel Macron has named France's next nuclear-powered aircraft carrier France Libre (Free France), framing the 10.2 billion-euro programme as a symbol of independence and military power. The vessel, due in 2038 to replace Charles de Gaulle, will be the largest warship in Europe.

2026-03-18T10:29:04.272055-07:00

New York Times

Fire aboard USS Gerald R. Ford burns 30+ hours during extended Middle East deployment as Iran warns logistics are targets

2026-03-16T15:58:52.875486-07:00

FlightGlobal

Operation Epic Fury: 6,000+ combat flights, carrier surge and Space Force EW escalate strikes on Iran

2026-03-16T03:18:51.187780-07:00

Air Data News

U.S. Navy delays USS Nimitz decommissioning to March 2027, keeps 51‑year‑old carrier operational

2026-03-16T01:15:20.915970-07:00

News Timeline

Bloomberg

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Macron names next French nuclear carrier 'France Libre' President Emmanuel Macron has named France's next nuclear-powered aircraft carrier France Libre (Free France), framing the 10.2 billion-euro programme as a symbol of independence and military power. The vessel, due in 2038 to replace Charles de Gaulle, will be the largest warship in Europe.

2026-03-18T10:29:04.272055-07:00

Macron names next French nuclear carrier 'France Libre'

The War Zone

USS Gerald R. Ford sails to Crete for repairs after 30‑hour laundry fire The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is sailing to Crete for repairs after a laundry‑room fire that burned for more than 30 hours during its extended Middle East deployment. The blaze displaced over 600 sailors, injured two, and has forced the Navy to reshuffle carrier schedules and maintenance plans.

2026-03-17T16:58:24.487044-07:00

USS Gerald R. Ford sails to Crete for repairs after 30‑hour laundry fire

New York Times

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Fire aboard USS Gerald R. Ford burns 30+ hours during extended Middle East deployment as Iran warns logistics are targets A laundry-room fire aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford burned more than 30 hours during its extended Middle East deployment, displacing over 600 sailors and injuring two. Now in its tenth month at sea, the blaze heightens readiness and safety concerns as Iran deems strike-group logistics legitimate targets.

2026-03-16T15:58:52.875486-07:00

Fire aboard USS Gerald R. Ford burns 30+ hours during extended Middle East deployment as Iran warns logistics are targets

FlightGlobal

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Operation Epic Fury: 6,000+ combat flights, carrier surge and Space Force EW escalate strikes on Iran Centcom says Operation Epic Fury has generated more than 6,000 combat flights and destroyed over 100 Iranian naval vessels as U.S. aircraft carriers surge nearby. Centcom footage highlights Space Force electronic-warfare support while missile-defense interceptors and Israeli F‑35I strikes (about 200 targets) shape the campaign.

2026-03-16T03:18:51.187780-07:00

Operation Epic Fury: 6,000+ combat flights, carrier surge and Space Force EW escalate strikes on Iran

Air Data News

U.S. Navy delays USS Nimitz decommissioning to March 2027, keeps 51‑year‑old carrier operational The U.S. Navy will keep USS Nimitz (CVN‑68) in service until March 2027, delaying decommissioning as it manages high operational demands and ongoing Indo‑Pacific deployments; the 51‑year‑old carrier will continue operations while the service prepares for retirement and nuclear defueling.

2026-03-16T01:15:20.915970-07:00

U.S. Navy delays USS Nimitz decommissioning to March 2027, keeps 51‑year‑old carrier operational

New York Times

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CENTCOM details Operation Epic Fury: thousands of strikes, maritime campaign destroys Iranian mine‑laying boats CENTCOM says Operation Epic Fury — the U.S.-Israeli campaign launched Feb. 28 — struck more than 5,000 Iranian targets in its first 10 days, damaged or destroyed 50+ vessels and U.S. forces destroyed 16 mine‑laying boats near a key waterway. The Pentagon reports about 140 U.S. service members wounded and four killed.

2026-03-10T08:12:26.477296-07:00

CENTCOM details Operation Epic Fury: thousands of strikes, maritime campaign destroys Iranian mine‑laying boats

Reuters

Trump says U.S. doesn't need British carriers as airstrikes on Iran continue; criticises Starmer As U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran continue, President Trump said the U.S. "does not need" British aircraft carriers even as Britain reportedly considers sending two ships, and publicly criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Trump also ruled out Kurdish involvement and claimed Iran's naval forces had been "dismantled."

2026-03-07T15:13:03.129025-08:00

Trump says U.S. doesn't need British carriers as airstrikes on Iran continue; criticises Starmer

AeroTime

France deploys carrier Charles de Gaulle to Mediterranean, seeks coalition to secure shipping chokepoints President Macron ordered the nuclear carrier Charles de Gaulle and escort frigates to redeploy from the Baltic to the Mediterranean to protect allied assets as the Middle East conflict widens. France is seeking a multinational coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Red Sea.

2026-03-03T05:11:37.122249-08:00

France deploys carrier Charles de Gaulle to Mediterranean, seeks coalition to secure shipping chokepoints

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Aircraft Carrier News

Macron names next French nuclear carrier 'France Libre'

Fire aboard USS Gerald R. Ford burns 30+ hours during extended Middle East deployment as Iran warns logistics are targets

Operation Epic Fury: 6,000+ combat flights, carrier surge and Space Force EW escalate strikes on Iran

U.S. Navy delays USS Nimitz decommissioning to March 2027, keeps 51‑year‑old carrier operational

News Timeline