WASHINGTON (Azat TV) – A U.S. Navy destroyer and a supply ship collided in the Caribbean Sea on Wednesday during a complex replenishment-at-sea operation, resulting in minor injuries to two sailors. The incident, confirmed by U.S. Southern Command, occurred as the USS Truxtun, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, was approaching the USNS Supply, a fast combat support ship, which was simultaneously refueling another vessel. The collision highlights the inherent risks of demanding naval maneuvers conducted amidst a significant military buildup in the region.
U.S. Southern Command spokesman Colonel Emmanuel Ortiz stated that the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG103) and the Supply-class fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE-6) made contact during the replenishment operation. Both vessels were able to continue sailing safely from the site of the incident, which occurred near South America. Two personnel reported minor injuries and were in stable condition, though it was not immediately clear if the injured sailors were aboard the destroyer, the supply ship, or both. The exact cause of the collision is currently under investigation.
US Navy Ships Involved and the Collision Details
The USS Truxtun had departed its home port in Norfolk, Virginia, on February 3. After an unscheduled return to port for what a Navy official described as an “emergent equipment repair,” the destroyer ultimately set sail for the Caribbean on February 6. The USNS Supply, while owned by the Navy, is typically operated by civilian mariners, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Replenishment-at-sea (RAS) operations are critical but inherently risky maneuvers where two ships sail parallel, often within hundreds of feet, to transfer fuel, supplies, and other cargo via hoses and cables. In this specific incident, a U.S. official familiar with the collision, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that the USNS Supply was engaged in refueling the cruiser USS Gettysburg on one side when the USS Truxtun approached from the other side, leading to the collision.
Caribbean Military Buildup and Its Purpose
The collision took place within the operational area of a substantial U.S. military presence in the Caribbean Sea. This buildup, described as the largest in generations, was initiated to combat drug trafficking in the region, as reported by The Associated Press. The naval forces in the Caribbean currently include at least 11 U.S. Navy ships, among them the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and several amphibious assault ships carrying thousands of Marines.
This heightened operational tempo in the Caribbean underscores the constant demand on naval assets and personnel, where complex maneuvers like RAS are routine but carry inherent risks. The U.S. Southern Command, responsible for military operations in Central and South America and parts of the South Atlantic and South Pacific, confirmed the incident and the ongoing investigation.
Investigation Underway and Recent Naval Incidents
U.S. Southern Command did not provide immediate details on what caused the collision, stating only that the incident is currently under investigation. Naval collisions, particularly between warships, are considered rare. However, this incident follows another notable collision in February 2025, when the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman collided with a merchant vessel near the Suez Canal. That previous incident resulted in minor damage to the Truman but no injuries, with a subsequent investigation revealing that the carrier was traveling at an unsafely high speed and the officer in charge failed to take sufficient action to avoid danger.
The current investigation into the USS Truxtun and USNS Supply collision will likely examine operational procedures, communication protocols, and environmental factors to determine the precise sequence of events that led to the contact. Such inquiries aim to identify contributing factors and implement measures to prevent future occurrences, ensuring the safety of naval personnel and the integrity of critical maritime operations.
The incident in the Caribbean, while resulting in only minor injuries, serves as a sharp reminder of the persistent operational challenges and inherent dangers faced by naval forces, even during routine logistical tasks essential for sustaining prolonged missions.