Navy Ousts USS Harry S. Truman Commander After Collision Incident

Nimitz-class Aircraft USS Harry S. Truman Command Change

In a surprising turn of events, the U.S. Navy has announced the relieving of the commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, the USS Harry S. Truman. Citing a "loss of confidence in his ability to command," This development in the Navy command structure affirms the strict standards adhered to for naval officers.

Dismissal Stemming from Collision Incident

The dismissal of Captain Dave Snowden, the commanding officer (CO) of the aircraft carrier, arrives a little more than a week following a collision with the merchant vessel Besiktas-M near Port Said, Egypt, on Feb. 12. The Feb. 16 statement from the U.S. 6th Fleet sheds light on the incident, disclosing damage to the Truman’s exterior wall of two storage rooms and a maintenance space. The damage also extended to a line handling space, the fantail, and the platform over one of the storage spaces. Despite the unfortunate incident, the Navy remains committed to its motto to hold on to high standards and accountability.

Interim Appointment and Admiral Snowden's Future

The commander of Carrier Strike Group 8, Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, has been named as the officer responsible for relieving Snowden. Snowden's forthcoming assignment will be with the Naval Air Forces Atlantic. Filling in the gap after Snowden, Capt. Christopher Hill, currently commanding officer of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, will take on the role of interim commanding officer of the Truman. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is currently undergoing scheduled maintenance following its deployment in July 2024 to U.S. Central Command and U.S. European Command. This strategic change in command is stated to be without impact on the Truman’s ongoing deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.

A Year of Challenges for the USS Harry S. Truman

While the USS Harry S. Truman is accustomed to challenging situations, the past year has been particularly eventful. In a separate incident, Truman’s F/A-18 fighter was inadvertently shot down by the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg in the Red Sea in December last year, with both crew members ejected and safely recovered. Despite these incidents, the USS Harry S. Truman continues its mission, portraying the resilience of the American Navy in the face of challenging situations.

Rear Adm. Sean Bailey's Announcement Full Text

In the full release, Rear Adm. Sean Bailey was confirmed to be relieving Snowden, who had been the aircraft carrier’s commanding officer since December 2023. The transfer follows the collision on Feb. 12 involving Truman and the merchant vessel Besiktas-M in the vicinity of Port Said, Egypt. Bailey reiterated the line in the sand that the U.S. Navy has drawn – commanding officers are held to the highest standard and actions are taken when those standards are not met. Capt. Christopher Hill will temporarily serve as the commanding officer of the Truman. He assures that the change in command will not impact the deployment or the mission of the Harry S. Truman in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.