The commander of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), Capt. Dave Snowden, has been relieved of duty following a collision with the merchant vessel MV Besiktas-M off the coast of Egypt on February 12, according to U.S. Navy officials.
Snowden’s removal was confirmed in a Congressional notification reviewed by USNI News.
The notification stated that Snowden was removed due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command.
According to a statement from U.S. 6th Fleet on Sunday, the assessed damage to the ship includes the exterior wall of two storage rooms and a maintenance space.
The damage to the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, is on the starboard aft quarter, from the collision with the M/V Besiktas-M near the Suez Canal.
My guess is the damage on the bulk ship will be on her starboard forward quarter. pic.twitter.com/0iKxkq50Wa
— Mystic Rose (@Mystic_Red_Rose) February 14, 2025
“Damage assessed includes a line handling space, the fantail and the platform above one of the storage spaces,” the statement reads.
“Aircraft elevator number three sustained no damage and is fully operational.”
The USS Harry S. Truman, deployed in September 2023, is currently docked at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Crete, Greece, for structural inspections and repairs.
Snowden, a 1996 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a career fighter pilot, previously served as executive officer of Truman and commanded the amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD-17) before assuming command of the carrier.
Capt. Christopher “Chowdah” Hill, commanding officer of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), will serve as interim commander of Truman until a permanent replacement is named.
