The US Navy has removed Capt. Dave Snowden from his position as commanding officer of the USS Harry S. Truman following a collision with a merchant vessel near Port Said, Egypt. The Navy cited a loss of confidence in Snowden’s leadership as the reason for his removal on February 20.
The U.S. Navy has fired Captain Dave Snowden, the Commanding Officer of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), for “Loss of Confidence” following the February 12th Collision of the Aircraft Carrier with a Merchant Cargo Ship, near the mouth of the Southeast Mediterranean Suez Canal .… pic.twitter.com/JIy0IAdmZ8
— Rob O'Donnell (@odonnell_r) February 21, 2025
The Truman, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, was operating in the Mediterranean Sea on February 12 when it struck the MV Besiktas-M, a merchant ship sailing under a Panamanian flag. No injuries were reported, but the carrier sustained damage to its starboard quarter, including a flight-deck extension. The ship is currently at US Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, for emergency repairs.
Navy bros- anyone ever heard of a carrier involved collision? WTF over https://t.co/2sli6RK9rb
— Clay Martin ⚔️ (@wayofftheres) February 13, 2025
Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, commander of Carrier Strike Group 8, relieved Snowden of duty after a review of the incident. Capt. Christopher Hill, the commanding officer of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, will take over as interim commander of the Truman while repairs continue.
The Navy has launched a full assessment of the damage, which includes external storage compartments and a maintenance area. Although the ship’s aircraft elevator remained functional, the extent of necessary repairs is still being determined. The carrier, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, deployed in September 2024 for operations in the Mediterranean.
Navy fires aircraft carrier captain after cargo ship collision https://t.co/Gju9pRpr0a
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) February 21, 2025
Snowden, who took command of the Truman in December 2023, has been reassigned to Naval Air Forces Atlantic. A graduate of the US Naval Academy, he previously commanded the amphibious warship USS San Antonio and served as the Truman’s executive officer.
The Eisenhower, Hill’s current command, is undergoing scheduled maintenance at Norfolk Naval Shipyard after completing a nine-month deployment to US Central and European Command in mid-2024.
