The commanding officer of the USS Harry S Truman has been relieved of duty following a collision with a merchant vessel earlier this month.
Captain Dave Snowden was removed from command due to a “loss of confidence in his ability to command,” the US Navy stated.
He had been in charge of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier since December 2023.
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The decision follows an incident earlier this month when the Truman collided with the merchant vessel Besiktas-M while operating in the Mediterranean Sea near Port Said, Egypt.
In his place, Captain Christopher Hill, currently the commanding officer of the USS Dwight D Eisenhower will serve as Truman’s interim commanding officer.
Following the collision, USS Harry S Truman arrived at US Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Greece for emergency repairs.
The damage assessment includes the exterior wall of two storage rooms and a maintenance space.
External damage was also sustained to a line handling space, the fantail, and a platform above one of the storage areas.
Despite the damage, the ship remained fully mission-capable and continued flight operations before entering port.
The Harry S Truman Carrier Strike Group consists of the aircraft carrier, Carrier Air Wing 1 (which includes eight aviation squadrons), and staff from Carrier Strike Group 8 and Destroyer Squadron 28.
Supporting ships include the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg and three Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers: USS Stout, USS The Sullivans, and USS Jason Dunham.
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Source: currinsnavalandmaritme