Navy reveals 'catastrophic' discoveries regarding USS Harry S. Truman

The U.S. Navy has disclosed summaries of four distinct investigations covering events involving the USS Harry S. Truman from December 2024 to May 2025. These inquiries examined a collision with a commercial vessel and the loss of three F/A-18 Super Hornets.

The reports focused on procedural compliance, operational standards, and how the Carrier Strike Group managed challenges during combat operations.

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. James Kilby stated that the Navy intends to apply lessons learned from these events and will continue to strengthen the readiness and training of its personnel.

On February 12, near Port Said, Egypt, the USS Harry S. Truman collided with the merchant ship Besiktas-M. No injuries or flooding occurred. Following this, Capt. Dave Snowden, the ships commanding officer, was relieved of duty due to a loss of confidence in his leadership.

The investigation determined that the collision was preventable and noted that the carriers bridge team failed to navigate safely around the merchant vessel. The report emphasized that the incident could have had catastrophic consequences.

Between December 2024 and May 2025, the Carrier Strike Group experienced multiple incidents involving high-value fighter jets, each worth around $60 million. In December 2024, the USS Gettysburg accidentally shot down an F/A-18F Super Hornet during a friendly fire incident. In April, an F/A-18E fell from the Trumans hangar deck due to evasive maneuvers responding to a ballistic missile threat in the Red Sea. In May, an F/A-18F failed to land properly on the carrier, forcing two pilots to eject.

The reports attributed the friendly fire incident to misidentification, stemming from limited integrated training between the USS Gettysburg and the Carrier Strike Group, lack of backup on the cruiser, and poor coordination across the group. The April hangar deck accident was linked to a brake system failure and inadequate communication between the bridge, flight deck, and hangar control. The May landing mishap resulted from a malfunctioning arresting wire caused by a faulty starboard sheave damper, compounded by insufficient maintenance, low staffing, limited knowledge, and high operational pressures.

Analysis: USS Harry S. Truman Incidents Highlight Operational Gaps

The recent disclosure of four investigations into the USS Harry S. Truman from December 2024 to May 2025 underscores persistent challenges in carrier operations. The collision with the merchant vessel Besiktas-M near Port Said revealed critical lapses in bridge team performance and procedural adherence. The Navy's decision to relieve Capt. Dave Snowden reflects accountability measures but also indicates systemic issues that extend beyond individual command.

The loss of three F/A-18 Super Hornets within five months points to vulnerabilities in equipment reliability, training integration, and operational coordination. The friendly fire incident aboard the USS Gettysburg, combined with hangar deck and landing accidents, illustrates gaps in communication between ships and within the Carrier Strike Group. Each event was preventable with stricter adherence to maintenance protocols and enhanced crew readiness.

Adm. James Kilby’s statement that lessons will be applied and readiness strengthened is a necessary response. However, these incidents collectively demonstrate the high stakes of carrier operations and the need for continuous evaluation of safety procedures, inter-ship coordination, and equipment maintenance under combat conditions.

Sources:

• Navy releases ‘catastrophic’ findings involving USS Harry S. Truman