US Navy releases footage from inside USS Peleliu during live-fire sinking exercise

Published Jul 30, 09:47 PM UTC

The U.S. Navy provided a unique perspective on its latest SINKEX (live sinking exercise) by placing cameras inside and around the decommissioned amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu as it was struck by two UGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship cruise missiles fired from the USS Columbia submarine. The event, which also involved sinking the cruiser USS Mobile Bay, took place off the coast of Hawaii on July 17, 2026. Footage released on July 29 shows the warship shuddering from the powerful blasts. This was the third SINKEX in recent weeks, following the sinking of the USS Juneau during the Valiant Shield exercise in June. The article also provides historical context for the Peleliu, noting its service from 1980 to 2015, including deploying Marines to Afghanistan after 9/11 and its role in capturing American Taliban fighter John Walker Lindh.