An at-sea replenishment operation in the Caribbean Sea ended in a collision between the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Truxtun and the fast combat support ship USNS Supply, U.S. Southern Command confirmed, marking a potentially serious incident during one of the Navy’s most complex and hazardous routine operations.
According to a statement released by United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), the two vessels collided yesterday afternoon while conducting a replenishment-at-sea, also known as underway replenishment (UNREP). Two sailors sustained minor injuries and are reported to be in stable condition. Both ships remain underway and are said to be sailing safely.
“The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG-103) and the Supply-class fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE-6) collided during a replenishment-at-sea,” the statement read. “Two personnel reported minor injuries and are in stable condition. Both ships have reported sailing safely. The incident is currently under investigation.”
No further details have been released regarding the precise location of the incident in the Caribbean Sea, the extent of structural damage, or whether either vessel’s operational schedule will be significantly affected.
The incident was first reported by The Wall Street Journal, drawing immediate attention given the risks associated with underway replenishment operations. Though considered routine in modern naval operations, replenishment-at-sea is widely acknowledged as one of the most technically demanding and potentially dangerous evolutions conducted by surface combatants.
During UNREP, two ships steam side-by-side at close distance — often separated by less than 200 feet — while transferring fuel, ammunition, food, spare parts, and other supplies via connected hoses and high-tension lines. Maintaining precise speed and course alignment is essential. Even minor navigational errors, sudden sea state changes, or mechanical malfunctions can escalate quickly.
The U.S. Navy has long emphasized the complexity of these maneuvers. In a 2024 dispatch, the Naval Safety Center described UNREP as “a critical (and often dangerous) operation” that carries inherent risks requiring strict coordination and vigilance.
“The proximity of vessels, adverse weather, fatigue, and loss of situational awareness in this dynamic environment can risk personnel safety and mission success,” the Naval Safety Center stated. “Seemingly minor mistakes can turn into potential severe mishaps in seconds.”
Although officials have not disclosed what specifically caused the collision between Truxtun and Supply, experts note that replenishment operations require synchronized helm control, constant communication between bridges, and precise engineering performance. A sudden power fluctuation, steering casualty, misjudged sea swell, or communication lapse can quickly reduce separation margins.
USS Truxtun (DDG-103) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, one of the Navy’s most capable and versatile surface combatants. Commissioned in 2009, Truxtun is equipped with the Aegis Combat System and Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells capable of firing Tomahawk cruise missiles, Standard surface-to-air missiles, and anti-submarine rockets. The destroyer plays roles ranging from air defense and ballistic missile defense to anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare.
The vessel is homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, and has been heavily involved in forward deployments to Europe and the Middle East. Its most recent deployment concluded in October 2025 after operations in European and Middle Eastern waters.
Earlier this month, on February 3, the Navy announced that Truxtun had departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled deployment. Officials did not publicly specify the destination or mission parameters. However, shortly after departure, the ship reportedly returned to port for repairs to an unspecified piece of equipment before getting back underway by February 6, according to USNI News.
USNS Supply (T-AOE-6), meanwhile, is a Supply-class fast combat support ship operated by Military Sealift Command. Unlike commissioned Navy warships, USNS vessels are crewed primarily by civilian mariners with Navy personnel embarked for mission support functions. Supply’s role is to provide fuel, ammunition, and provisions to carrier strike groups and other naval formations at sea, enabling sustained operations far from friendly ports.
Fast combat support ships like Supply combine the roles of fleet oiler and ammunition ship, allowing them to simultaneously deliver multiple types of supplies during a single replenishment evolution. This makes them indispensable during high-tempo operations.
Although both ships are reportedly sailing safely, questions remain about potential structural damage and mission impact. Even relatively minor hull or superstructure damage can require inspections and repairs before a vessel resumes full operational status.
For Truxtun, any extended repair period could complicate its current deployment cycle. Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are in high demand globally, supporting missions ranging from European deterrence patrols to ballistic missile defense in the Middle East and freedom-of-navigation operations.
If the damage proves more significant than initially reported, Truxtun could require a port visit for inspection or drydock availability. Alternatively, if damage is superficial, repairs may be conducted at sea or during a brief logistics stop.
For USNS Supply, operational availability is equally critical. Replenishment ships are limited in number, and their schedules are tightly aligned with carrier strike groups and regional task forces. Any reduction in capability could require reallocation of other logistics vessels.
While underway replenishment is a routine feature of naval operations, it has historically carried measurable risk. Ships maneuver in close quarters under demanding sea conditions, often at night or in high-traffic maritime environments.
Past naval collisions — though not necessarily during UNREP — have underscored the consequences of navigational lapses. Incidents involving surface combatants in the Pacific in 2017 led to comprehensive reviews of training, readiness, and bridge resource management across the fleet.
Since then, the Navy has invested heavily in improved training standards, fatigue management reforms, and navigation oversight measures. However, replenishment-at-sea remains inherently dynamic and sensitive to human and mechanical variables.
SOUTHCOM confirmed that a formal investigation has been launched. Such inquiries typically involve safety boards examining bridge logs, helm commands, engineering performance data, weather conditions, and crew testimony. Findings could take weeks or months, depending on complexity.
Helm and steering control inputs
Propulsion plant status
Environmental conditions such as wind and sea state
Communications between the ships
Watch team readiness and fatigue levels
The results may lead to procedural adjustments, training refinements, or mechanical inspections across similar platforms if systemic issues are identified.
The Caribbean Sea is an operational area that supports counter-narcotics patrols, maritime security operations, and regional presence missions under SOUTHCOM’s area of responsibility. U.S. Navy surface combatants regularly deploy to the region to support joint interagency task forces and regional partnerships.
Although officials have not confirmed Truxtun’s exact mission, destroyers operating in the Caribbean often support interdiction efforts or serve as command-and-control platforms for multinational maritime initiatives.
The collision does not appear to pose broader strategic implications at this time, given both ships remain afloat and operational. However, naval observers will closely watch for further updates regarding material damage and readiness status.
For now, the immediate priority remains the well-being of the injured sailors and ensuring the structural integrity of both vessels. The Navy’s initial statement emphasizing that both ships are “sailing safely” suggests that damage control teams were able to quickly assess and stabilize the situation.
Still, replenishment-at-sea operations will continue across the fleet, as they are indispensable to global naval power projection. Modern navies depend on logistics at sea to sustain persistent presence, and ships like Truxtun and Supply form the backbone of that capability.
Whether the incident proves to be a minor navigational miscalculation or a more complex systems-related issue will depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
Until then, the collision serves as a reminder that even routine naval evolutions demand precision, discipline, and constant vigilance — especially when thousands of tons of steel operate side by side on open water.
