USNS Big Horn Suffers Severe Damage After Grounding Incident Off Oman
The USNS Big Horn, a crucial supply ship for the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, has sustained significant damage after running aground off the coast of Oman. Reports indicate that the ship partially submerged following the incident, which occurred on Monday. Fortunately, there have been no injuries or fuel leaks reported from the vessel, according to U.S. Navy officials. The Big Horn was subsequently assisted by tugboats and taken to port for a comprehensive assessment of the damage.
This incident comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region, particularly concerning Israel’s ongoing military actions in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group has been actively operating in the Gulf of Oman, aiming to project a deterrent presence amid these rising tensions. While the USS Abraham Lincoln itself is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that does not require refueling, the other vessels in the strike group, as well as the aircraft aboard, depend on fuel supplied by the USNS Big Horn.
The cause of the grounding incident remains unclear, and U.S. Navy officials have stated that it is too early to speculate on the specifics. The Big Horn was engaged in refueling and supplying naval vessels in the area when the accident occurred, underscoring the importance of this support ship in maintaining naval operations.
