US Navy Replenishment Ship Damaged After Middle East Refueling Operation
A US Navy replenishment ship, the USNS Big Horn, sustained damage after completing a refueling mission in the Middle East, US officials reported.
The vessel had just resupplied the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group, which is stationed in the region amid ongoing tensions related to the Israel-Hamas conflict and Israel’s military actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Officials declined to specify where or how the damage occurred, but rumors surfaced after images posted on a maritime tracking website suggested the ship had run aground and partially flooded off the coast of Oman. The incident is under investigation, and officials confirmed that the Big Horn is being assisted by tugboats as it heads to port for further assessment.
While the crew aboard the Big Horn remains safe and no oil leaks have been reported, the extent of the damage is still unclear. The Big Horn plays a key role in delivering fuel and supplies to the Lincoln strike group, including refueling its fossil-fuel-powered vessels and aircraft. Despite the damage, Navy officials downplayed the impact on the strike group, describing it as an inconvenience but affirming that the group can continue operations by utilizing other refueling methods.
The USS Abraham Lincoln, which is powered by a nuclear reactor, is patrolling the Arabian Sea as part of broader US operations in the region. Tensions have risen as the strike group works to protect US assets and support Israel during its military actions in response to threats from various Iran-backed groups.
The Associated Press, CBS News, and New York Post contributed to this report.
