Overview
- The Navy released four heavily redacted investigations that found preventable errors across training, systems use, maintenance and leadership during the USS Harry S. Truman strike group’s 2024–2025 deployment.
- Investigators deemed the USS Gettysburg’s Dec. 22 friendly-fire engagement against two Truman F/A-18s unjustified, faulting poor training, low situational awareness and overreliance on imperfect combat system data.
- A Feb. 12 collision with merchant vessel Besiktas-M near Port Said was ruled avoidable due to bridge resource management failures, with findings noting a near-catastrophic miss and the subsequent relief of Truman’s commanding officer, Capt. Dave Snowden.
- An April 28 evasive turn to avoid a Houthi missile sent an F/A-18 and a tow tractor overboard, attributed to an aircraft brake failure and insufficient communication between the bridge, flight deck control and the hangar bay.
- A May 6 jet was lost after an arresting-gear component failed amid substandard maintenance and low manning during Operation Rough Rider; no fatalities occurred across the four mishaps, total losses are estimated at about $164 million, and detailed accountability actions remain redacted.