USS Harry Truman Commander Relieved Following Collision with Merchant Ship

The USS Harry S. Truman hit a merchant ship near Port Said, Egypt, a little more than a week ago. Capt. Dave Snowden is no longer in charge of the boat.

The Truman and the cargo ship Besiktas-M were both involved in the February 12 event. The crash did not hurt anyone, but it damaged the ship's fantail, two store rooms, a repair area, and a line-handling area. The Navy said that the Truman could still do its job, but it was getting emergency repairs done before it could return to its planned cruise.

Back Adm. Sean Bailey, who is in charge of Carrier Strike Group 8, got rid of Snowden because he didn't trust him to lead. A Navy statement said that senior officers' highest standards are expected and that the Navy will take action if those standards are not met.

For now, Capt. Christopher Hill is in charge of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, but for a short time, he will also be in charge of the Truman. After being sent on a mission in 2024, the Eisenhower is getting fixed up in Norfolk, Virginia.

People have looked at the USS Truman before. An F/A-18 fighter plane from Truman's strike group, the USS Gettysburg, accidentally shot down one of Truman's planes in the Red Sea in December 2024. The two pilots jumped out of the plane and were both safe.

The Navy said that as long as Snowden isn't there, the Truman will still be sent to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.

The Navy is responsible for its senior officers, especially when a lot is at stake in an operational setting. This new change in leadership shows that.

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