USS Gerald R. Ford Faces Plumbing Issues Amidst Middle East Deployment
The world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is currently deployed to the Middle East, but the ship is grappling with significant and recurring issues with its plumbing system. These problems, which have plagued the vessel since its commissioning in 2023, have led to frequent malfunctions and substantial repair costs, raising concerns about the operational readiness and crew morale.
Recurring Plumbing Failures
Internal communications and reports obtained by NPR and the Wall Street Journal reveal a growing frustration with the aircraft carrier’s Vacuum Collection, Storage and Transfer (VCHT) system. The system, adapted from cruise ship technology to conserve water, has proven ill-suited for the scale and demands of a naval vessel. The narrow vacuum tubes are prone to clogging, even with standard toilet paper.
Engineers reported 205 system crashes in a four-day period, and the ship has required external assistance 42 times since 2023, with 32 of those instances occurring in 2025 alone. A common issue involves valves behind the toilets becoming dislodged, causing a loss of suction in entire zones of the ship. The Gerald R. Ford has 650 toilets divided into ten zones to serve its 4,600 crew members.
Significant Costs and Maintenance
The primary driver of costs is the buildup of limescale within the pipes, necessitating specialized acid flushes costing approximately $400,000 (close to 4 million Norwegian Krone) each time. As of late 2025, the ship had undergone at least ten such acid rinses, requiring it to be docked for the procedure. Crew members have also discovered foreign objects, including T-shirts and ropes over a meter long, obstructing the system.
The Navy has been aware of these issues for over a decade. Planned maintenance at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia is scheduled to include improvements to the VCHT system, mirroring upgrades made to the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) which reportedly reduced maintenance issues.
Deployment and Crew Concerns
The USS Gerald R. Ford initially set sail in June 2023. Its mission was redirected from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean in October 2023, in response to escalating tensions with Venezuela . The carrier is now heading to the Middle East to increase pressure on Iran, as of February 24, 2026 .
The current deployment risks exceeding 11 months, potentially breaking the record for continuous deployment by a U.S. Navy ship. The Wall Street Journal reported concerns from crew members, with some expressing a desire to leave the Navy after the deployment. Captain David Skarosi acknowledged the impact on crew members’ personal lives in a letter to families, recognizing missed events like weddings and vacations, but emphasizing the importance of answering the call of duty .
Recent Location
As of February 24, 2026, the USS Gerald R. Ford was docked at the U.S. Naval base at Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete , and . Satellite imagery from late January showed the carrier off the coast of St. Thomas.