USNS Big Horn grounding highlights need for naval upgrade

ryan robertson

THE USNS BIG HORN, A CRITICAL US NAVY OIL TANKER, REPORTEDLY RAN AGROUND OFF OMAN’S COAST TUESDAY, IMPACTING OPERATIONS FOR THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN CARRIER STRIKE GROUP AMID ESCALATING TENSIONS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS. THE INCIDENT, WHICH OCCURRED WHILE THE BIG HORN WAS ENGAGED IN REGIONAL SECURITY EFFORTS, IS UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE NAVY, WITH NO OFFICIAL CAUSE YET DETERMINED.

MILITARY OFFICIALS RULED OUT A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VESSEL BUT NOTED FLOODING IN AT LEAST ONE COMPARTMENT OF THE SINGLE-HULL OILER. THE SHIP WAS OPERATING WITHIN THE US 5TH FLEET AREA. THE POSSIBILITY OF IT RUNNING AGROUND IN SHALLOW WATER OR HITTING AN UNDERWATER OBJECT IS BEING CONSIDERED. AS IT STANDS NOW, A MINE STRIKE IS DEEMED UNLIKELY.

THE MIDDLE EAST IS A CRITICAL REGION FOR GLOBAL SECURITY, AND THE US NAVY’S 5TH FLEET PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN MAINTAINING MARITIME SECURITY AND NAVIGATION FREEDOM THERE.

BY PARTNERING WITH REGIONAL ALLIES, THE 5TH FLEET WORKS TO PREVENT ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES AND ENSURE THE FREE FLOW OF COMMERCE. WASHINGTON SAYS PUTTING THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN CSG IN THE AREA HELPS DETER IRANIAN AGGRESSION ANDSHOWS THE US IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING KEY ALLIES LIKE ISRAEL, SAUDI ARABIA, AND THE UAE.

A GOOD PORTION OF THE REGION’S STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE STEMS FROM ITS CRITICAL CHOKEPOINTS, SUCH AS THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ AND THE SUEZ CANAL. THESE WATERWAYS ARE CRUCIAL FOR GLOBAL TRADE, AND ENSURING SAFE PASSAGE FOR SHIPS TRANSITING THESE WATERS IS ESSENTIAL FOR ECONOMIC STABILITY.

NO INJURIES OR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE WERE REPORTED AFTER THE BIG HORN ORDEAL. BUT THE INCIDENT IS PUTTING ANOTHER SPOTLIGHT ON US MILITARY’S ONGOING CHALLENGE WITH TANKER SHORTAGES. THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IS STRUGGLING TO MEET OPERATIONAL FUEL DEMANDS BECAUSE THERE ARE FEWER THAN 20 TANKERS AVAILABLE.

EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY TO SECURE A COMMERCIAL OIL TANKER TO SUPPLY JET FUEL TO THE USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

LONG-TERM PLANS INCLUDE REPLACING OLDER SINGLE-HULL OILERS LIKE THE BIG HORN WITH NEWER, DOUBLE-HULL JOHN LEWIS-CLASS OILERS, THOUGH THE ROLLOUT OF THESE SHIPS IS GOING SLOWER THAN PLANNED; ONLY THREE OF THE TWENTY COMMISSIONED SHIPS IN 2018 HAVE BEEN CHRISTENED.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M RYAN ROBERTSON. FOR MORE OF OUR UNBIASED — STRAIGHT FACT REPORTING — DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP OR VISIT US AT SAN – DOT – COM.