US Navy releases footage of USS Peleliu being hit by missiles during SINKEX

Published Jul 30, 09:47 PM UTC

The US Navy released unique footage from its latest SINKEX (live sinking exercise) event off the coast of Hawaii on July 17, 2026. Two former warships, the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu and the cruiser USS Mobile Bay, were sunk. On July 29, the Navy released b-roll footage from cameras placed inside and around the Peleliu as it was struck by two UGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship cruise missiles fired from the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Columbia. The video shows the warship shuddering from the powerful blasts. This was the third SINKEX event in recent weeks, following the sinking of the former USS Juneau during the Valiant Shield exercise in June. The article also provides historical context for the Peleliu, noting its commissioning in 1980, its role in deploying Marines to Afghanistan after 9/11, and its decommissioning in 2015 after 35 years of service.