This photo, released by the U.S. Navy, shows the USNS Big Horn, a Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler, sailing alongside the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier on Sept. 11, 2024, in the Middle East. The Big Horn sustained damage during a refueling operation with the Lincoln, and the cause is currently under investigation, according to officials on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. The incident occurred at an undisclosed location at sea, and the Big Horn’s crew is reported to be safe with no signs of an oil leak. The Lincoln is currently patrolling the Arabian Sea amid tensions in the region.
Rumors about the Big Horn’s condition began circulating after images were posted on a shipping tracking website, gCaptain, showing flooding on board the vessel. However, a U.S. Navy official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the damage is an inconvenience and the fleet will continue to operate without the Big Horn. The strike group’s destroyers can refuel in port and transport aviation fuel to the carrier.
The Big Horn and other replenishment ships like it play a crucial role in supplying fuel and other resources to the Lincoln and its accompanying vessels. The Big Horn typically has a crew of 80 civilians and 5 military personnel on board. It is currently unclear if there are any other replenishment ships available in the Middle East.
The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command, which operates similar replenishment ships, declined to comment on the availability of other vessels in the region. The Big Horn is being supported by private tugboats and is heading to port for further assessment of the damage. The U.S. official also stated that the damage occurred during a refueling operation, but did not specify the location.
The Lincoln, powered by a nuclear reactor, is able to operate without the Big Horn, but its accompanying vessels require refueling. The U.S. official emphasized that the damage to the Big Horn is not expected to significantly impact the strike group’s operations. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the region, including the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and Israel’s strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon.