US Navy’s USS Boxer Diverts to Diego Garcia for Repairs After Engine Failure

The US Navy’s USS Boxer amphibious assault ship diverted to the joint US-UK base on Diego Garcia in the central Indian Ocean for repairs after an engine-related failure forced it to halt a planned reinforcement mission following the outbreak of fighting involving Iran, according to Jiemian News. US officials, citing three people familiar with the matter, said the Boxer’s main circulation pump for engine cooling malfunctioned while underway, requiring parts replacement and maintenance. The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group departed San Diego in mid-March carrying the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Middle East; after repairs, it was reassigned to the Strait of Malacca for Iran-related maritime interdiction tasks before being redeployed to the Middle East.