The U.S. Navy has announced that Captain Dave Snowden of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, has been relieved of his duties. The stated reason is "a loss of confidence in his ability to command." His position will be taken over by Rear Admiral Sean Bailey, the commander of the entire 8th Carrier Strike Group.
This decision was made more than a week after the USS Harry S. Truman collided with the tanker Besiktas-M near Port Said, Egypt, which is located at the entrance to the Suez Canal from the Mediterranean Sea. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy continues to remain silent regarding the causes and circumstances of the collision with the tanker Besiktas-M.
The damage to the aircraft carrier turned out to be greater than previously thought. Initially, a photo showing damage to the starboard sponson near the stern was displayed.
However, subsequently new images were released, demonstrating that the Besiktas-M sliced through the hull of the aircraft carrier like a can opener. It has been officially noted that the outer wall of two storage areas, the maintenance room, and part of the external structures of the USS Harry S. Truman were affected. At the same time, the damage to the Besiktas-M is reported to be minor, affecting some deck equipment.
Currently, the aircraft carrier is undergoing emergency repairs in Crete, at Souda Bay. The timeline for these repairs has not been announced, but it has been stated that this will not impact the operational effectiveness of the carrier strike group.
It is worth noting that the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, is 333 meters long, has a displacement of over 100,000 tons, and is valued at approximately $4.5 billion, accommodating nearly 90 aircraft and helicopters.