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By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies | Thursday, February 12, 2026
WASHINGTON – A guided-missile destroyer and a fast combat support ship collided Wednesday during a delicate mid-sea refueling operation in the Caribbean, leaving two sailors injured and raising questions about the safety of the U.S. military’s massive ongoing buildup in the region.
U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) confirmed Thursday that the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG-103) and the USNS Supply (T-AOE-6) struck one another during a “replenishment-at-sea” maneuver. While the impact caused visible damage to both hulls, officials stated that both vessels remain seaworthy and are continuing their missions.
Collision During Maneuvers
The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon as the Truxtun was drawing fuel and supplies from the Supply. Such operations are notoriously dangerous, requiring two massive vessels to sail parallel to each other at high speed, often within just 100 feet, while connected by fuel hoses and heavy cables.
Video footage of the impact, which began circulating on social media early Thursday, shows the Truxtun approaching the supply ship at an aggressive angle. The destroyer’s bow appears to scrape along the side of the larger support vessel, accompanied by the sound of grinding metal and visible sparks.
“Two personnel reported minor injuries and are in stable condition,” said Col. Emmanuel Ortiz, a spokesperson for SOUTHCOM. “The incident is currently under investigation to determine the exact cause of the navigational error.”
A Crowded Caribbean
The Truxtun and the Supply are part of a fleet of roughly 12 U.S. warships currently patrolling the Caribbean and South American coasts. This force, which includes the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, was deployed by the Trump administration to enforce a “partial quarantine” on sanctioned oil tankers and to combat narcotics trafficking.
The region has seen heightened activity following the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a surprise raid earlier this year. Critics of the administration have pointed to the collision as a symptom of “operational exhaustion,” noting that the Truxtun had only just returned to sea on February 6 after undergoing emergency equipment repairs at its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia.
Historical Echoes
Naval analysts have noted that while minor “fender benders” occur during replenishment, they are rare for a modern Navy. This mishap follows a string of high-profile accidents, including a 2025 collision between the USS Harry S. Truman and a merchant ship near the Suez Canal.
The Navy’s investigation will likely focus on bridge leadership and potential mechanical failures. For now, both ships remain on station. However, the sight of a damaged American destroyer in the Caribbean serves as a reminder of the inherent risks of the administration’s forward-leaning maritime policy.