Dramatic moment decommissioned US ship explodes after being TORPEDOED during biggest Navy war games in 40 years
A DECOMMISSIONED US warship was sunk with a torpedo during a massive Navy war game on Sunday.
The US Navy frigate Ingraham was exploded in the Hawaiian Island Operating Area during an exercise called SINKEX, which is designed to “decisively apply force in the maritime battlespace.”
“The precise and coordinated strikes from the Navy and our joint teammates resulted in the rapid destruction and sinking of the target ship.”
Ingraham had been in service for over 25 years, authorized from August 5, 1981, to January 30, 2015.
'Provides realistic and relevant training'
The torpedo in this combat exercise was discharged more than 100 nautical miles from the ship, sinking it in an area located at least 50 nautical miles offshore where the water is at least 6,000 feet deep, Pacific Fleet said in the statement.
'Closer than we think'
Thousands of Marines and sailors are as Washington "prepares" for a future world war amid rising tensions with and China.
American officials fear that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan is “closer than we think."
But it remains unknown if China and will “pay attention” to the wargames or if they will be interpreted as an act of aggression.