Houthi combat stress identified as main factor in costly Navy mishaps, investigations reveal

WASHINGTON Newly released investigations into several significant and costly Navy incidents during U.S.-led operations against Yemen's Houthi rebels show that the most intense naval engagement since World War II placed severe strain on both ships and crew.

The four reports, published Thursday, examine incidents including a December 2024 friendly fire event in which the cruiser USS Gettysburg fired on two fighter jets from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, destroying one, as well as the Trumans collision with a commercial vessel and the loss of two additional multimillion-dollar jets earlier this year.

Collectively, the reports depict an aircraft carrier under constant missile attacks while facing other operational pressures that left senior leaders, including the captain and navigator, extremely fatigued midway through an eight-month deployment initially scheduled for six months.

One report noted that intense combat created a sense of detachment among the crew in some areas, with several sailors losing sight of the purpose of their role to the mission. The four incidents resulted in over $100 million in losses from destroyed aircraft, ship damage, and multiple crew injuries. Although there were no fatalities, some accidents were narrowly avoided, hinging on split-second decisions.

Collision and Leadership Response

The investigation into the Trumans collision with a merchant vessel highlighted that had the collision occurred 100 ft forward, the impact could have breached a berthing compartment with 120 sleeping sailors. Capt. Dave Snowden, then in command, reduced the angle and delayed the impact, likely preventing greater damage and potential loss of life.

Experts describe these mishaps as a wake-up call for the Navy regarding the demands of extended combat and the risks of overtaxing ships and personnel. Bradley Martin, a retired Navy captain and RAND researcher, stated, This deployment revealed that the Navy is not fully prepared for prolonged combat conditions.

Background of the Campaign

The U.S. military campaign against Houthi rebels began in October 2023 after the group started launching drones and missiles at ships in the Red Sea, during the Israel-Hamas conflict. The operations were continued across presidential administrations and included a monthlong bombing campaign earlier this year. Sensitive operational information was shared by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth via a messaging app, which the Pentagons inspector general said exposed troops to potential risk despite his authority to declassify.

Accountability and Oversight

The Navy has not publicly detailed accountability measures for most personnel involved, though Capt. Snowden was relieved of command shortly after the collision. Adm. James Kilby, the services second-highest officer, stated that accountability actions were taken across all operators involved without providing specifics. Martin emphasized that the incidents reflect broader structural challenges rather than solely individual failures, noting the high operational pressures on the Truman crew.

Details of the Incidents

All four investigations focus on the Truman, the third carrier deployed to the region in December 2024. The first defensive strike against the Houthis occurred on Dec. 22, 2024, and the Gettysburg mistakenly fired on two U.S. fighter jets during the operation, with one jet destroyed and the other narrowly saved. Poor training and overreliance on malfunctioning technology were cited as contributing factors.

In February, crew members described a pressurized schedule and a culture of just get it done. During transit near the Suez Canal, the Truman collided with a merchant vessel due to unsafe speed and insufficient evasive action, compounded by the captain and navigator underestimating the risk.

After returning to the Red Sea, the Truman operated nearly continuously, conducting daily flight operations. In April, a jet slipped off the deck during a sharp evasive turn, worsened by a slippery hangar deck. In May, another F/A-18F fighter fell overboard due to a snapped arresting cable caused by poor maintenance, compounded by operational demands that prevented proper upkeep. Investigators noted the crew struggled to balance maintenance and operational duties, identifying high operational tempo as a key challenge.

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• Stress of Houthi combat was a key factor in series of costly Navy mishaps, investigations show