U.S Navy To Decommission 13 Warships & Support Ships This Year

The U.S Navy’s 2026 ship inactivation schedule was released last week. Per the document, over a dozen battleships and support vessels will be bidding farewell to the U.S Naval Forces this year.

The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Newport News (SSN-750) was decommissioned in January 2026, after 37 years of service. The USS Alexandria (SSN-757) will also leave the fleet this year on August 4, 2026.

Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruisers USS Lake Erie (CG-70) and USS Shiloh (CG-67) will be decommissioned on Sept. 30, 2026.

Both will function as logistics support vessels and help sustain fleet operations worldwide, along with the USS Germantown (LSD-42), a 40-year old Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship, which will leave the service on Sept. 29, 2026.

USS Fort Worth (LCS-3), a Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship, is set to be deactivated on July 31, 2026.

Additionally, 3 replenishment oilers, 3 RORO ships and an offshore petroleum distribution system ship are set to leave in 2026.

Military Sealift Command ships are non-combatants, manned by civilian crews to support naval warships during missions.

Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO-198) will be inactive as of March 31, followed by USNS John Ericsson (T-AO-194) and USNS Pecos (T-AO-197) on July 31, 2026.

John Ericsson will be cannibalised, and its parts will be fitted on other ships. The vessel went for its last deployment in 2024, where it replenished aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) and also regional allies in the Indo-Pacific.

The Navy will move 3 Military Sealift Command RORO ships to the Maritime Administration and become a part of the ready reserve fleet.

USNS Pomeroy (T-AKR-316) will be removed from active service on April 1, 2026, followed by USNS Watkins (T-AKR 315) on July 1, 2026, and USNS Red Cloud (T-AKR 313) on Sept. 30, 2026.

Military Sealift Command used the ships for 25 years for transporting military vehicles and equipment. The MSC presently operates 8 large, roll-on/roll-off ships, built in the 90s.

USNS Vice Adm. K. R. Wheeler (T-AG5001), an offshore petroleum distribution system ship, will be decommissioned on July 1, 2026. after 20 years of service.

The ship can pump diesel or aviation fuel to shore from up to 8 miles off the coast using a pipe kept on its weather deck.

It also delivered fuel to U.S forces onshore during contingency operations when port facilities might be destroyed or do not exist.

Why This Decision?

Per reports, the Navy decided to remove so many vessels this year to manage high-maintenance costs since older ships require more expensive repairs, making it cost-effective to retire them.

Secondly, divesting old ships frees up resources to transition to more advanced platforms.

Several Littoral Combat Ships are being decommissioned early due to chronic mechanical issues and poor performance.

Older cruisers have faced recurring issues such as structural cracks and water leaks.

Lastly, the Navy also faced challenges with recruiting and retaining sailors, which has made it even more difficult to staff a large and obsolete fleet.

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