5 Shocking Facts About USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75): The 2025 Deployment, Collision Drama, And Its Near-Retirement

The USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) remains one of the most dynamic and operationally relevant assets in the U.S. Navy fleet, especially in light of its high-profile activities and maintenance drama throughout 2024 and 2025. As the eighth nuclear-powered vessel of the formidable Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, the "Truman" is a cornerstone of American power projection, capable of deploying over 90 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters and supporting a crew of over 5,600 personnel. Its recent movements, spanning from the Red Sea to political battles over its very existence, highlight why this supercarrier is constantly in the global spotlight.

As of December 17, 2025, the USS Harry S. Truman is recovering from a demanding year that saw it engaged in critical maritime security operations and facing an unexpected collision investigation. Its recent eight-month deployment with Carrier Strike Group 8 concluded on June 1, 2025, after operating in the volatile 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AoR), including a significant presence in the Red Sea. The following deep dive reveals the most crucial and lesser-known facts about the CVN-75's recent history, current status, and specifications.

The USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) Profile and Biography

Named after the 33rd President of the United States, Harry S. Truman, the CVN-75 is a symbol of enduring naval power. Its history is marked by numerous deployments supporting global security and projection of expeditionary power. The ship is a key component of the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered carrier fleet, designed for a 50-year service life.

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• Design Class: Nimitz-class Aircraft Carrier (Eighth of ten)
• Hull Number: CVN-75
• Namesake: Harry S. Truman (33rd U.S. President)
• Motto: "Give 'Em Hell!"
• Homeport: Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia
• Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding (now Northrop Grumman) in Virginia
• Laid Down: November 29, 1993
• Commissioned: July 25, 1998
• Displacement: 101,000–104,000 long tons (full load)
• Length: 333 meters (approx. 1,092 feet)
• Propulsion: Two Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors, driving four steam turbines
• Speed: 30+ knots (approx. 35 mph)
• Crew Complement: Ship's Company (3,200) + Air Wing (2,480) = Over 5,600 personnel
• Air Wing: Typically Carrier Air Wing 1 (CVW-1)
• Armament: Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) and Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS)

The High-Stakes 2025 Deployment and Red Sea Operations

The USS Harry S. Truman's most recent deployment underscored its vital role in global conflict zones. The Carrier Strike Group 8 (CSG-8), led by the CVN-75 and Carrier Air Wing 1 (CVW-1), deployed in September 2024 and was operating in the Red Sea as late as May 2025. This forward-deployed presence was critical for maintaining stability and ensuring freedom of navigation in a highly contested maritime region.

The eight-month mission was a testament to the carrier’s capability for sustained expeditionary power projection and maritime security operations. Upon its return to Naval Station Norfolk on June 1, 2025, the crew completed a demanding deployment in the 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AoR), showcasing the ship's operational readiness despite its age.

Beyond its major deployment, the CVN-75 also participated in major exercises. In September 2025, the carrier completed a ten-day underway, qualifying 45 aviators and leading allied and partner ships in a group sail during UNITAS 2025. This continuous cycle of deployment, training, and qualification keeps the crew and the ship at peak warfighting development levels.

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Collision Investigation and the RCOH Retirement Battle

The year 2025 was not without incident for the USS Harry S. Truman. In February 2025, the carrier was involved in a collision with a merchant vessel, the BESIKTAS-M. Subsequent investigations, released later that year, indicated failures were behind the collision, which was one of four mishaps involving the ship from late December 2024 to early 2025. These incidents highlight the immense challenges of operating a massive nuclear-powered vessel in crowded international waters, requiring immediate emergent repair availability (ERAV) and maintenance periods.

The Political Fight to Save CVN-75 from Early Retirement

Perhaps the most significant drama surrounding the CVN-75 in recent years was the political battle over its mid-life Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH). The RCOH is a mandatory, multi-year, multi-billion dollar process that involves refueling the ship's nuclear reactors and a major overhaul of all systems, essentially giving the carrier a second 25-year life. The RCOH for the Truman was originally scheduled for 2024.

The Department of Defense (DoD) proposed skipping the RCOH to save money, which would have effectively meant the early retirement of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. This plan sparked intense opposition, particularly from the U.S. Congress, which viewed the early retirement of a fully operational Nimitz-class carrier as a major blow to naval capacity.

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Ultimately, a political overruling saved the USS Harry S. Truman. Following strong Congressional opposition, the plan for early retirement was abandoned, ensuring the carrier would remain in service. This decision guarantees that the CVN-75 is set for its mid-life maintenance and will continue to serve as a cornerstone of the U.S. Navy's global presence for decades to come, projecting power and fulfilling its mission of maritime security operations and defense.