On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, a rare and unsettling event unfolded in the Caribbean Sea: two U.S. Navy ships, the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG103) and the Supply-class fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE-6), collided during a complex at-sea replenishment operation. According to statements provided by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and reported by outlets including Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, and The War Zone, the incident resulted in minor injuries to two personnel, both of whom are now in stable condition. While both ships were able to continue sailing safely after the collision, the event has sparked an official investigation and raised questions about operational risks and the evolving U.S. naval presence in the region.
The collision occurred as the two vessels were performing a replenishment-at-sea, a maneuver in which ships sail side-by-side to transfer fuel, munitions, and other supplies. This operation is essential for sustaining naval missions far from home ports, but it’s also inherently risky. As a 2024 dispatch from the Naval Safety Center put it, “Underway Replenishment (UNREP) is a critical (and often dangerous) operation to resupply ships at sea, and it carries inherent risks that must be carefully managed. The proximity of vessels, adverse weather, fatigue, and loss of situational awareness (to name a few) in this dynamic environment can risk personnel safety and mission success. Seemingly minor mistakes can turn into potential severe mishaps in seconds.”
Col. Emmanuel Ortiz, a spokesman for U.S. Southern Command, confirmed the details in a statement cited by The Wall Street Journal: “Yesterday afternoon, the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG103) and the Supply-class fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE-6) collided during a replenishment-at-sea. Two personnel reported minor injuries and are in stable condition. Both ships have reported sailing safely. The incident is currently under investigation.”
The exact location of the collision has not been disclosed for operational security reasons, but multiple sources, including The Wall Street Journal and The War Zone, reported that it took place somewhere in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of South America. The incident unfolded against the backdrop of a significant U.S. naval buildup in the region, with at least 11 Navy ships currently operating in the Caribbean, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group. This concentration of naval power follows heightened tensions in the area, particularly after the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and signals the U.S. commitment to maintaining maritime security and presence.
Both ships involved in the collision are essential assets in the Navy’s operational playbook. The USS Truxtun, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, is known for its versatility and has recently been at the forefront of U.S. deployments. According to Army Recognition, Truxtun’s latest mission followed a rapid turnaround of just three months since its previous deployment, which had taken it to European and Middle Eastern waters, only concluding in October 2025. The ship departed its homeport at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, on February 3, 2026, for what was described as an independent deployment. After a brief return for repairs to an unspecified piece of equipment, Truxtun was underway again by February 6, as reported by USNI News. The USNS Supply, meanwhile, is a fast combat support ship operated by civilian mariners and has been active in the Caribbean, providing logistical support to the fleet.
The incident, while not resulting in major injuries or apparent catastrophic damage, is a stark reminder of the hazards inherent to naval operations—even in peacetime. Collisions between U.S. Navy warships are rare, but history shows they can have tragic consequences. On June 17, 2017, the destroyer USS Fitzgerald collided with a Philippine-flagged container ship near Japan, resulting in the deaths of seven sailors. Just two months later, in August 2017, the destroyer USS John S. McCain was struck by a Liberian-flagged tanker in the Strait of Malacca, killing ten sailors. More recently, on February 12, 2025, the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman collided with a merchant vessel near Port Said, Egypt. While that incident caused no injuries, a subsequent Navy investigation concluded that a slight adjustment in course could have led to a mass-casualty event.
As for Wednesday’s collision, the Navy has yet to release details about the extent of the damage to either the Truxtun or the Supply. A damage assessment is underway, and a U.S. official told ABC News that this evaluation will determine whether the ships can proceed with their current deployments or will need to return to port for repairs. It’s also unclear whether the two injured personnel were aboard the destroyer, the supply ship, or one on each vessel.
At-sea replenishment, sometimes called underway replenishment, remains a cornerstone of U.S. naval strategy, enabling ships to operate for extended periods without returning to port. But as this week’s incident demonstrates, even routine operations can quickly become dangerous. The Navy’s own safety literature underscores the need for constant vigilance: “The proximity of vessels, adverse weather, fatigue, and loss of situational awareness… can risk personnel safety and mission success.”
Operationally, the collision comes at a time when U.S. naval forces are stretched across multiple theaters, from counter-narcotics patrols in the Caribbean to deterrence missions in the Middle East. According to Army Recognition, the deployment of the USS Truxtun is part of a broader strategy to support both U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Central Command, reflecting the Navy’s need for flexibility and rapid response. The current buildup in the Caribbean is seen as a demonstration of U.S. resolve amid ongoing regional instability.
While the incident is still under investigation, the Navy has emphasized that both ships remain seaworthy and that the injuries sustained were minor. “Two personnel reported minor injuries and are in stable condition,” SOUTHCOM reiterated in statements to the press. “Both ships have reported sailing safely. The incident is currently under investigation.”
For now, the focus remains on determining the cause of the collision and ensuring that safety protocols are reviewed and reinforced. The outcome of the damage assessment will dictate whether the Truxtun and the Supply can continue their missions or will need to return for repairs. As the investigation unfolds, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks faced by sailors and mariners every day—even in the most routine of operations.
With the Navy’s attention fixed on both the aftermath and the lessons to be learned, the ships involved continue their duties, and the broader U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean remains undiminished.