U.S. Navy Mission Disrupted by Monkey Attack in Thailand

A U.S. Navy sailor assigned to the minesweeper USS Chief was medically evacuated to Sasebo, Japan, following a bizarre encounter with a monkey in Phuket, Thailand, Axios reported.

The electronics technician was scratched by what officials suspect was a long-tailed macaque during a port visit, sparking concerns over the Herpes B virus, which is common in the local monkey population.

Despite the medical evacuation, the Navy’s 7th Fleet confirmed that the USS Chief’s critical mission to clear Iranian mines in the Strait of Hormuz remains on track.

The incident occurred just as President Trump ordered a “tripling up” of mine-sweeping activities and authorized the Navy to engage any hostile small boats.

Military officials noted that while they war-game for combat, “unknown unknowns” like wildlife attacks serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of global deployments.