Breaking News: USNS Big Horn runs aground near Oman, damage and impact on Navy operations.

According to information published by CBS News on September 25, 2024, the USNS Big Horn (T-AO-198) was involved in a maritime incident off the coast of Oman, where it ran aground while supporting operations in the Arabian Sea.
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Navy's Henry J. Kaiser-class replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn. (Picture source: US DoD)

The USNS Big Horn (T-AO-198) is a Henry J. Kaiser-class replenishment oiler operated by the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC). Commissioned in 1992, it supports naval operations by transporting fuel, dry cargo, and other supplies to naval vessels while at sea. It has a displacement of approximately 42,000 tons and can carry around 180,000 barrels of fuel, enabling it to refuel aircraft carriers and their strike groups during extended deployments.

The USNS Big Horn is 677 feet (206 meters) long, with a beam of 97 feet 5 inches (29.69 meters). It has a maximum draft of 35 feet (11 meters). The ship is powered by two medium-speed Colt-Pielstick PC4-2/2 10V-570 diesel engines, producing 16,000 horsepower (11.9 MW) per shaft, for a total sustained power of 34,442 horsepower (25.7 MW). Big Horn operates with controllable-pitch propellers and reaches a speed of 20 knots (37 km/h or 23 mph).

One of its notable missions included humanitarian relief efforts after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, where it played a key role in transporting and distributing fuel and supplies. In routine operations, Big Horn has been essential to U.S. naval logistics, particularly in regions like the Arabian Sea and the Mediterranean.

In September 2024, Big Horn suffered significant damage after running aground off the coast of Oman while supporting the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. This incident led to concerns about the readiness and durability of the Navy's aging replenishment fleet, especially given its vital role in sustaining naval operations abroad. Although no fuel leaks or injuries were reported, the ship's rudder and aft sections were damaged, leading to repairs in the port of Duqm.

The grounding incident has further highlighted logistical challenges faced by MSC, as some of its vessels, including Big Horn, have experienced operational setbacks. These difficulties have sparked broader discussions about the need to modernize the U.S. naval logistics fleet and address manpower shortages within the civilian mariner workforce.