USS Gerald R. Ford diverts to Split, Croatia, for repairs after fire during nine‑month deployment
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) docked in Split, Croatia, for unscheduled repairs after a laundry‑room fire during its nine‑month deployment that included Caribbean operations against Venezuela and later missions supporting U.S.-Israeli activity in the Middle East. The diversion raises fresh questions about carrier readiness during extended forward deployments.