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.
The decision follows an incident earlier this month when the Truman collided with the merchant vessel Besiktas-M, when operating near Port Said, Egypt. Rear Admiral Sean Bailey, commander of Carrier Strike Group 8, relieved Capt Snowden, who will now be temporarily assigned to Naval Air Forces Atlantic.
Following the collision, USS Harry S Truman arrived at US Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, for emergency repairs. Damage included the exterior wall of two storage rooms and maintenance areas. External damage also occurred to the line handling space, the fantail, and other operational platforms, but the ship remained mission-capable and continued flight operations before entering port.
Despite the change in command, the US Navy has confirmed there will be no impact on Truman's mission or schedule. The Harry S Truman Carrier Strike Group includes Carrier Air Wing 1, staffed from Carrier Strike Group 8 and Destroyer Squadron 28, which consists of multiple supporting ships such as the USS Gettysburg and USS Stout.
This incident has stirred discussions about the responsibilities held by commanding officers. A senior U.S. Navy official commented, "Something didn’t happenthat should have happened. A shipthat hasn’t taken measures to avoidacollision, it’s on the captain. The buck stops with him," indicating the seriousness with which the Navy views operational accountability.
The USS Harry S. Truman was undergoing deployments involving strikes on ISIS targets just before the collision. For example, F-18s flew from Truman across the Red Sea to strike targets on February 1. During the collision on February 12, as the carrier was nearing the mouth of the Suez Canal, the waters became congested, contributing to the mishap.
Photos released by the Navy show visible damages on the starboard side of the carrier, particularly near its stern, highlighting the significance of the incident. Fortunately, none of the crew on the Besiktas-M were injured, and no flooding or propulsion damage occurred aboard the Truman—a fact confirmed by the Navy shortly after the incident.
Snowden’s removal follows long-standing protocols within the Navy, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining high standards. "The U.S. Navy holds commanding officers to the highest standard and takes action to hold them accountable when those standards are not met," stated the service’s official press release.
Replaced by Captain Christopher Hill, the commanding officer of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, the USS Harry S. Truman now has interim leadership as it undergoesneeded repairs. Hill will serve as the interim commander until the Navy finalizes the new permanent command structure.
While the collision has resulted in significant scrutiny of Captain Snowden's command effectiveness, Navy leadership insists these actions will not detract from Truman's operational capabilities. The aircraft carrier, operating within the strategic framework of U.S. naval forces throughout the Mediterranean and beyond, remains poised for its planned missions.
What lies ahead for Captain Snowden will likely be influenced by this incident. Many view the reassignment to Naval Air Forces Atlantic as detrimental to his career, with the potential for reduced opportunities for advancement. Meanwhile, as preparations for the return to the Red Sea are underway, the Truman's crew looks forward to continuing their work with renewed focus on safety and operational protocols.
With international waters still posing unique challenges, this incident serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of vigilance and preparation on the high seas. The U.S. Navy remains committed to learning from such events to improve naval operations and the professional development of its leadership.