Washington, D.C. (Agencies) July 11, 2025 — A leaked video allegedly filmed by an American servicemember aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier has ignited a wave of concern across defense circles and social media. The footage, which surfaced late Wednesday, reveals extensive rust, structural cracks, corroded bulkheads, and what appears to be partial collapse in internal compartments, raising serious questions about the vessel’s seaworthiness and the Navy’s maintenance protocols.
The video, reportedly shot inside the USS Carl Vinson, shows deteriorating conditions in key operational zones, including hangar bays and passageways. While the Navy has not officially confirmed the authenticity of the footage, experts say the signs of “running rust” and metal fatigue are consistent with long-standing concerns about the Navy’s aging fleet and overstretched maintenance cycles2.
This is not the first time the Navy has faced scrutiny over corrosion. Earlier this year, images of the USS Dewey covered in rust during a port visit to Singapore prompted late-night messages from President Trump to Navy Secretary nominee John Phelan, demanding answers. The issue has become a flashpoint in congressional hearings, with lawmakers citing it as evidence of declining readiness and strained shipyard capacity.
According to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, nearly one-third of planned maintenance availabilities for aircraft carriers and submarines may be unsupported through 2040, due to outdated dry docks and inefficient shipyard layouts.
Defense analysts warn that the Navy’s high operational tempo, combined with budget constraints and aging infrastructure, is creating a perfect storm for structural degradation. The leaked video adds visual weight to these concerns, showing what some commentators have called a “symbolic collapse of American naval prestige.”
The Navy has yet to issue an official response, but internal sources suggest an investigation is underway to verify the footage and assess the extent of the damage