Navy deployment marred by friendly fire, lost jets, collision at sea

"The Truman carrier group departed its home port in Norfolk in September 2024 - and by the time it returned in May, the carrier itself had collided with a merchant vessel; its cruiser had shot down one of its fighter jets, another warplane was lost when it slid overboard as the carrier performed an evasive maneuver to dodge an incoming missile; and a third jet was lost when an arresting cable failed as the pilot attempted to land."

"In three of the four incidents, investigators determined, either poor training, improper procedures or crew fatigue played significant roles. And while no service members died, those incidents could have led to multiple fatalities, the Navy found. The Navy has taken disciplinary action in those incidents, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. James Kilby said in a statement, and will continue "to assess our tactics, training, and procedures across all echelons to ensure we learn from these incidents.""

"Investigators concluded the fourth incident - in which a parked F/A-18 Super Hornet slid off the Truman's hangar bay as the ship attempted to evade incoming fire from Houthi fighters in Yemen - could not have been foreseen. And they praised the sailors involved who put their own lives at risk to try to prevent the fighter from going overboard, the documents say."

Four investigations examined a nine-month Truman carrier group deployment during which the carrier collided with a merchant vessel, a cruiser accidentally shot down one of its fighter jets, a warplane slid overboard during an evasive maneuver, and a jet was lost when an arresting cable failed. In three incidents, findings cite poor training, improper procedures, or crew fatigue as significant contributors. No service members died, though the incidents risked multiple fatalities. Disciplinary action was taken and the Navy will reassess tactics, training, and procedures. One overboard aircraft incident was deemed unforeseeable, but better control-room communication might have prevented it. The Truman conducted 52 consecutive days of strikes against Houthi forces.

Read at The Washington Post