The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has revealed that its Multiple Defense Department is assisting in the removal of wreckage from the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore Harbor. The team is collaborating with private, federal, and state agencies to extract the bridge debris from the water following a collision with a cargo shipping container last week.

A DOD news release stated that the Army Corps of Engineers had completed an obligatory underwater survey and demolition experts had begun cutting into the top portion of the collapsed bridge's north side on Saturday. These two steps were crucial for initiating debris removal.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh informed reporters during a press briefing, "The [Defense Department] continues to support the whole-of-government response in Baltimore. Through the Unified Command, the U.S. Coast Guard is coordinating this effort in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Navy and many others."

According to the same news release, Naval Sea Systems Command is supporting Unified Command's goal to remove debris and reopen the harbor by employing two cranes and a derrick barge. The crane barge Oyster Bay with a 150-ton lift capacity, Chesapeake - a 1,000-ton lift capacity derrick barge, and Ferrell - a 200-ton lift capacity revolving crane barge are all actively involved in the removal process. Singh added that "[DOD stands] ready to assist in further efforts to provide immediate response, reopen the port, rebuild the bridge and support the people of Baltimore."

Key Bridge Response 2024's federal on-scene coordinator Coast Guard Capt. David O'Connell announced plans for creating a "temporary alternate channel on the northeast side of the main channel in the vicinity of Francis Scott Key Bridge for commercially essential vessels," as per a Key Bridge Response 2024 press release. O'Connell noted that "This will mark an important first step along the road to reopening the Port of Baltimore."