I did a 6 year Navy tour and finished it on an aircraft carrier. This was before women were allowed in combat positions. I have to wonder if there just wasn't enough "manpower" around to put out the initial fire when it could have been contained. Dragging firefighting equipment through knee knockers requires muscle and determination...
Reportedly the source of ignition was an large onboard explosion of so far unknown origin while the ship was being refitted for F-35B operations. Might not have mattered - we’ll have to see.
Thanks for serving...I have often thought about the concept of carrying another man up a ladder in the middle of a fire, and I am sure (especially with adrenaline flowing) I could manage it.
There are a few women I have known in my life who I think could manage it, but on a bell curve of women that is the female sailor population and not cherry-picked women who work out madly every day...I don’t think that is going to happen.
But...that social engineering battle has been fought and lost, and here we are.