"The USS Gerald R. Ford, a warship aircraft carrier of the US Navy, is reportedly experiencing ongoing issues with its sewage system, raising concerns among crew members about conditions on board the largest and most advanced warship of the American fleet as it prepares for possible strikes against Iran. Footage from Tuesday shows the massive warship aircraft carrier docked in Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete, surrounded by frigates. Media reports suggest that persistent plumbing problems have continued to affect the aircraft carrier nearly a decade after it was commissioned, disrupting the daily lives of sailors and worsening the strain of long deployments. One crew member reportedly missed the death of his great-grandfather, while another is considering leaving the Navy after spending nearly a year away from her toddler daughter. The symbol of US military might has encountered significant technical problems since its service began. It has logged 42 sewage system service calls since 2023, with 32 occurring in 2025. The ship's Vacuum Collection, Holding, and Transfer (VCHT) system, which serves over 4,500 sailors and 600 toilets, suffers from design flaws, including undersized pipes and clogs caused by improper materials. Maintenance has required extensive hours from engineering crews, and acid flushing can cost up to 400,000 USD (339,792 EUR) per cleaning. Despite these issues, the Navy asserts that the carrier's operational readiness remains unaffected. "