The captain of the US Navy aircraft carrier that collided with a cargo ship in the Mediterranean Sea on February 12 has been fired.
Captain Dave Snowden took command of the nuclear-powered USS Harry S. Truman in December 2023 but has now been relieved of command.
According to officials, Snowden’s commander, Rear Admiral Sean Bailey, was removed due to a lack of command ability and a clash with Truman.
The Truman collided with a Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier near Port Said, Egypt. No one was injured in the incident, but the merchant ship sustained minor damage, and the ship cost $4.5 billion to repair.
The Navy said its hull and external structure sustained significant damage that required an emergency stop at a naval facility in Greece for damage assessment and repairs.
Snowden said the ship was fully mission-capable, was brought to port for emergency repairs, and was restored to service as scheduled. Snowden’s speedy trial is inconsistent with the discipline reserved for senior commanders.
The officials’ description of a “lack of confidence” illustrates the frustration that Navy officials have felt over the military-focused news and allegations by former officers.
