Heavy seas damage US Navy ship ahead of NATO drill Trident Juncture

Two US Navy ships were forced to return to Reykjavik, Iceland, after amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) was damaged in heavy seas while en route to Norway and exercise Trident Juncture.

The ship was damaged on October 22 and is currently in Iceland for further assessment.

The navy said the ship’s landing craft utilities (LCU) and well deck experienced damage while a number of sailors received medical treatment for minor injuries and have returned to duty.

For precautionary measures, the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) is also in Reykjavik, Iceland as a safe haven from the seas until further notice.

There is no timetable for when the assessment will be completed.

USS Gunston Hall and USS New York are part of the Iwo Jima expeditionary strike group (ESG) and were scheduled to take part in the large-scale NATO maneuver Trident Juncture after entering European waters earlier this month.

The flagship of the ESG, amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), was unaffected by the sea conditions and is currently taking part in the at sea portion of Trident Juncture where it is working working closely with other NATO ships and has embarked members of 45 Commando Royal Marines.