Khaberni - The American aircraft carrier "USS Gerald R. Ford", which participated in American and Israeli operations against Iran, docked today, Saturday, at the Croatian port of Split facing the Adriatic Sea, for the purpose of undergoing repairs and maintenance.
The US Embassy in Croatia said in a statement: "The aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford will host local officials and prominent leaders during its stay, in order to reaffirm the strong and enduring alliance between the United States and Croatia."
The Ford carrier had briefly stopped in Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete, before the Croatian government - a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and an ally of the United States - agreed to its arrival a few days ago.
Ford, which is the newest and largest American aircraft carrier in the world, was operating in the Red Sea to support the "Epic Fury" operation when a fire broke out in its main laundry room on March 12th, injuring three sailors, and the fire was not combat-related, according to reports.
An American official at the time said that approximately 200 sailors received treatment for problems related to smoke inhalation, and it took several hours to extinguish the fire, which also affected about 100 of the sleeping quarters.
It is noted that the aircraft carrier was deployed about 9 months ago, and participated in operations targeting Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea, where strikes were executed on suspected drug smuggling boats, and oil tankers subject to sanctions were intercepted, and also participated in the American military operation in Venezuela, during which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was arrested, before being transferred to the Middle East.
The carrier also faced problems with the sewage system during its mission period, affecting nearly all of the toilets onboard, totaling 650.
The Ford aircraft carrier carries onboard more than 5,000 sailors, in addition to more than 75 military aircraft, including fighters like the "F-18 Super Hornet", and also includes advanced radar systems that assist in managing air traffic and navigation.
