US Senator Demands Answers After US Navy Oiler Grounding

Washington, D.C. — Following reports that the U.S. Navy’s fleet oiler, USNS Big Horn, was damaged during a grounding off Oman’s coast, Senator Roger Wicker, the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, voiced serious concerns about potential impacts on U.S. naval capabilities in the Middle East.

“I am troubled about reports that the Navy’s sole fleet oiler in the CENTCOM region has been rendered temporarily inoperable. If we cannot fuel our ships, our capabilities will be greatly diminished,” said Senator Wicker in a statement released today. “The Big Horn’s problems also speak to a larger challenge – we are woefully in need of a larger logistics fleet, which is the lifeline for our global military presence. I hope this incident serves as a wake-up call that it is high time to fix our shipbuilding industrial base and support our merchant mariners.”

Also read: UPDATE – Damaged Navy Oiler USNS Big Horn Towed Dead Stick To Oman

The incident with USNS Big Horn comes at a critical time, as the U.S. Navy faces mounting pressures to maintain a robust presence in contested waters across the globe. Without a fully operational logistics and sealift fleet, the US military’s ability to project power, protect shipping, and sustain forward-deployed forces could be jeopardized. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of the Department of Defense’s maritime logistics infrastructure.

Senator Wicker has sent questions to the Department of Defense, seeking clarity on the situation and assurance that a plan is in place to mitigate the impact of this incident:

1. Location of Damage: Where did the Big Horn take damage?
2. Damage Assessment: What is the initial damage assessment for the Big Horn?
3. Cause of Damage: What was the cause of the damage (weather, navigator error, etc.)?
4. Operational Status: Can the Big Horn operate under its own power?
5. Repair Timeline: What is the estimated time required for the repair of the ship?
6. Capability Gap: Is there another vessel able to fill the capability gap? If so, when will it be in the area?
7. Funding for Fleet Oilers: Does the administration support additional executable funding for fleet oilers in the FY25 appropriations process?

The potential absence of USNS Big Horn – which was allegedly towed yesterday ‘dead stick” for a damage assesment – from the region raises significant strategic concerns. Fleet oilers are the backbone of naval operations, providing essential fuel that keeps ships and their crews at sea. They’re crucial for aircraft carrier operations too—while American carriers are nuclear-powered, their air wings guzzle fuel. Without oilers, our naval forces’ reach and effectiveness take a serious hit.

Senator Wicker highlighted the following facts related to the shortfalls in the U.S. Navy’s logistics fleet:

• 21st Century Peace Through Strength Report: Senator Wicker’s recent report calls for the addition of funds for an extra T-AO fleet oiler and investments into modular CONSOL adapter kits and related equipment to enable commercial ships to replenish Navy vessels.
• Advance Procurement Funding: Senator Wicker’s budget amendment, which passed through the Senate Armed Services Committee markup of the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act, included $398 million for fleet oiler advance procurement.

This is not Senator Wicker’s first bout of frustration. He has been calling for larger fleet for at least 7 years and, in May, he addressed his fellow lawmakers about an issue that has been gnawing at the very fabric of our nation’s security: the shrinking size of the US Navy in the face of a growing Chinese naval force. With the weight of history on his shoulders, Wicker asked the Senate to pass the US Shipyard Act, a bold attempt to revitalize maritime infrastructure and regain the nation’s footing in the world’s waters.

In that speech he painted a stark picture of the current state of the US Navy, contrasting it with China’s rapid growth. He cited an alarming report predicting that by the end of this decade, China will have a fleet of 440 warships while the US will have only 290. China’s fleet expansion poses a direct threat not only to the United States but also to our allies in the region, including Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan.

“The United States is facing the most dangerous threat environment since World War II, and the country needs a generational investment in its military to protect itself against today’s threats. It is clear that a growing number of Americans see this fact plainly, since more and more are employing references to the years just before World War II,” wrote Wicker in his Peace Through Strength report. “Even President Joe Biden has evoked the pre-World War II period.”

Related Article: Senator Wicker Advocates For US Shipyard Act

Related Video – Wall Street Journal, Senator Roger Wicker on 21st Century Peace through Strength

Subscribe for Daily Maritime Insights

Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update

— trusted by our 109,085 members