According to Kathimerini, the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford has arrived at Souda base on the Greek island of Crete after a fire broke out on board.

The newspaper reported that the carrier reached NATO’s Marathi pier in Souda Bay on Monday and is expected to remain there for more than a week. Unlike previous port calls at Souda, the crew will not be given its usual extended leave in central Chania this time.

Earlier, the United States had deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford to the Middle East for military operations against Iran. But on March 12, a fire broke out in the ship’s laundry area and burned for more than 30 hours. US Navy command said the incident was not connected to combat operations.

A representative of Iran’s central military headquarters, however, claimed that US personnel themselves had started the fire in order to avoid further involvement in operations against Teheran.

The Lincoln air wing includes 90 aircraft and helicopters. In combat, the USS Gerald R. Ford typically operates as part of a carrier strike group.