A late-night incident near Egypt's Port Said disrupts naval operations as a U.S. aircraft carrier encounters an unexpected obstacle at sea.
According to Fox News, the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier collided with a merchant vessel called Besiktas-M in the Mediterranean Sea on February 12, 2025, at approximately 11:46 p.m. local time.
The Navy's Sixth Fleet Public Affairs confirmed that while the collision caused damage to the carrier, there were no reports of flooding or injuries aboard the vessel. The ship's propulsion systems remained fully operational and in stable condition following the incident. The circumstances that led to the collision are currently under investigation by naval authorities.
The USS Harry S. Truman, which departed from its home base in Norfolk, Virginia, in September, was conducting operations in the Mediterranean and Middle East regions when the incident occurred.
The carrier had recently completed a port call in Souda Bay, Greece, before the collision took place near the Egyptian coast. The vessel's deployment aims to enhance maritime security and maintain a strong naval presence in these strategic waters.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier serves multiple critical functions in the region's naval operations. It provides essential support for maritime security operations and crisis response capabilities. The vessel also plays a vital role in counter-terrorism efforts and security cooperation with allied nations in the area.
The ship's advanced capabilities include its embarked air wing, which provides tactical air power projection capabilities over both sea and land. These resources are crucial for maintaining regional stability and protecting American interests in the Mediterranean and Middle East.
In December 2024, the USS Harry S. Truman faced another significant incident when two of its pilots were involved in what appeared to be a friendly fire incident over the Red Sea.
Both pilots survived after ejecting from their F/A-18 aircraft, with one sustaining minor injuries during the incident. The aircraft had just taken off from the carrier's deck when the incident occurred.
The ship's recent collision adds to a series of challenges faced by U.S. naval operations in the region. Despite these incidents, the carrier continues to fulfill its mission of providing flexible response capabilities and maintaining a strong military presence in these strategic waters.
The Navy's quick response to the collision and immediate assessment of the situation demonstrates their commitment to crew safety and operational integrity. Investigation teams are working to determine the exact cause of the collision to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The USS Harry S. Truman, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier based in Norfolk, Virginia, experienced a collision with the merchant vessel Besiktas-M near Port Said, Egypt, during its deployment in the Mediterranean Sea.
The incident occurred during nighttime operations but resulted in no injuries or significant damage to the carrier's critical systems. While the Navy conducts its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision, the vessel maintains its operational capabilities and continues its mission of providing maritime security and strategic support in the region.
