US Navy confirms collision of aircraft carrier near Egypt

Robert Besser
20 Feb 2025, 02:06 GMT+10

The U.S. military operates 11 aircraft carriers, and any serious damage that forces one out of service could put pressure on the Navy
According to a Navy statement, the USS Harry S. Truman collided with the merchant ship Besiktas-M late at night on February 12 while operating near Port Said, Egypt
The Navy confirmed that the collision did not cause flooding or injuries and did not affect the carrier’s propulsion systems, which remain in a safe and stable conditio

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. military operates 11 aircraft carriers, and any serious damage that forces one out of service could put pressure on the Navy.

According to a Navy statement, the USS Harry S. Truman collided with the merchant ship Besiktas-M late at night on February 12 while operating near Port Said, Egypt. The Navy confirmed that the collision did not cause flooding or injuries and did not affect the carrier's propulsion systems, which remain in a safe and stable condition.

Collisions involving U.S. Navy ships are extremely rare, but two warships crashed in the Asia-Pacific region in 2017, killing 17 sailors. Those incidents raised concerns about Navy training and operational demands, leading to a Congressional hearing and the removal of several officers.

The USS Harry S. Truman is 1,096 feet long, nearly as tall as the Empire State Building. It serves as a floating city for its 5,000-member crew and has a 4.5-acre flight deck capable of holding 90 aircraft, including F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jets.

The ship's deck is used for missile loading, while sailors also have treadmills in the hangar for exercise.

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