Experience the View from Inside a Vessel Being Struck by American Missiles
Summary
The U.S. Navy conducted a live sinking exercise (SINKEX) on July 17, deliberately sinking two retired warships — the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu and the cruiser USS Mobile Bay — off the coast of Hawaii. The Navy released dramatic footage on July 29 captured from cameras placed inside the USS Peleliu, showing the ship's violent reaction to being struck by two UGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship cruise missiles fired from the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Columbia. This marked the third SINKEX event in recent weeks, following the earlier sinking of the former USS Juneau during the Valiant Shield exercise near the Mariana Islands. The USS Peleliu carried significant historical importance, having been the first ship to deploy Marines to Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks under Task Force 58, which was commanded by then-Brigadier General James Mattis. The vessel, nicknamed the "Iron Nickel," served for 35 years and traveled over one million miles before being decommissioned in March 2015.
Key Takeaways
- 1. The Navy released rare interior footage showing the destructive impact of Harpoon anti-ship missiles striking the USS Peleliu during a live sinking exercise
- 2. An uncrewed surface vessel, the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft, was used to target the USS Peleliu, showcasing modern autonomous naval technology
- 3. This was the third SINKEX exercise conducted by the Navy in recent weeks, reflecting an active period of fleet training and decommissioned vessel disposal
- 4. The USS Peleliu holds notable historical significance as the ship where American Taliban member John Walker Lindh confessed to Al-Qaeda membership in 2001
- 5. Task Force 58, deployed from the USS Peleliu, was commanded by future Secretary of Defense James Mattis during the early stages of the Afghanistan war