During its deployment to the Middle East, where it took part in combat operations against the Houthis, the Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS Truman collided with a cargo ship, had an F/A-18E Super Hornet fall off the deck, an F/A-18F careen off the deck while landing and another F/A-18F shot down by an escort ship. In addition, a tow tractor fell off the carrier as it was taking evasive maneuvers in the same incident when the Super Hornet fell off the deck. On Thursday, the Navy released summary details of the findings of investigations into these mishaps, which took place between Dec. 22, 2024, and May 6, 2025. None of the three Super Hornets were recovered, a U.S. official told us.
“Each investigation was conducted independently and thoroughly, in accordance with Navy policy, immediately following the incidents,” the Navy said in a release. “Appropriate accountability actions have been taken to address these incidents.”
The summary of these investigative findings can be found below:
USS Gettysburg Friendly Fire Incident
On Dec. 22, 2024, an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 was shot down by the Ticonderoga class cruiser USS Gettysburg as jets were returning to the supercarrier.
At the time of the incident, the Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) was in the Red Sea and under fire from the Houthis. The CSG “shot down two anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) and two one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA UAV) with reports of other OWA UAVs in the air,” a U.S. official told us at the time, adding that the aircraft had yet to be recovered. “The wreckage has not been located and is likely at the bottom of the Red Sea. Both crew members were successfully recovered and are back on the USS Harry S. Truman. Initial reports are that one of the crew members has minor injuries. Both have been evaluated and released from medical.”
Naval Air Force Atlantic (AIRLANT) separately told us that the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet had been “performing a refueling mission” at the time of the friendly fire incident. Super Hornets can be configured to serve as refuelers in addition to fighters. The jet was reportedly hit by a Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) interceptor.
According to a summary, the investigation found “that a lack of integrated training opportunities between USS Gettysburg and the Carrier Strike Group, lack of forceful backup on the cruiser, and lack of cohesion across the Carrier Strike Group contributed to the misidentification, and subsequent engagement, of the friendly aircraft and near miss of another. There were no personnel casualties or major injuries.”
Collision with Merchant Vessel Besiktas-M
On Feb. 12, the Truman was involved in a collision with the merchant vessel Besiktas-M at approximately 11:46 p.m. local time, while operating near Port Said, Egypt, in the Mediterranean Sea.
“The collision did not endanger the Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as there are no reports of flooding or injuries,” the Navy said at the time. “The propulsion plants are unaffected and in a safe and stable condition. The incident is under investigation. More information will be released as it becomes available.”
A photo taken after the incident showed multiple large tears through a sponson on the starboard side of the stern end of the ship near one of the aircraft elevators. It was unknown at the time whether there was damage elsewhere.
In October, a photo taken of the ship during an event with President Donald Trump showed that the damage had been painted over. The Navy told us that repairs would be made during the ship’s planned Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding. “Immediately following the collision, while in Souda Bay, Greece, new bulkheads were installed inside each of the damaged spaces to establish weathertight integrity.”
The Navy investigation found: “that the collision was avoidable. The carrier’s bridge team failed to safely navigate past the merchant vessel. No personnel or engineering casualties occurred on either vessel. The Navy relieved [Capt. Dave Snowden] the commanding officer of the USS Harry S. Truman in February due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command.”
“Following the collision, the Harry S. Truman pulled into U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece. While in port, Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center personnel, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and local industry partner Theodoropoulos Group removed exterior portions of the damaged ship and installed bulkheads inside each of the damaged spaces for weathertight integrity. Following the repairs, the Harry S. Truman returned to the Red Sea to resume combat operations. Complete repair of the damage is scheduled during the ship’s upcoming Refueling and Complex Overhaul at HII-Newport News Shipbuilding.”
Snowden was relieved on Feb. 20. Capt. Christopher Hill, commanding officer of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), was temporarily assigned as Truman’s interim commanding officer.
Loss of F/A-18E Super Hornet and Tow Tractor
On April 28, an F/A-18E Super Hornet from VFA-136 fell off the side of the Truman while the ship was conducting evasive maneuvers in response to incoming Houthi threats, a U.S. official told TWZ at the time. A tow tractor that had been moving the aircraft also went over the side in the incident, in which thankfully only a single sailor suffered minor injuries. The Super Hornet was under tow in the hangar bay when the deck crew lost control of the aircraft, the Navy later said in a release. “The aircraft and tow tractor were lost overboard. Sailors towing the aircraft took immediate action to move clear of the aircraft before it fell overboard. An investigation is underway.”
Navy supercarriers like Truman are capable of making sharp and high-speed turns for ships of their size, including an evasive tactic, as seen in the video below.
In its investigation, the Navy found that the Super Hornet and tow tractor were lost “during evasive maneuvers in response to an incoming ballistic missile in the Red Sea. While all actions taken were within standard operating procedures, the investigation determined that the primary cause was an aircraft brake system failure, compounded by insufficient communication between the bridge, flight deck control, and hangar bay control. The crew’s quick thinking and resourcefulness prevented any personnel injuries or further damage.”
Failure of Arresting Wire Leading to Aircraft Loss
On May 6, 2025, an F/A-18F Super Hornet from VFA-11 crashed into the sea during its attempt to land. Both the pilot and the Weapon System Officer (WSO) were able to eject and were recovered by helicopter with only minor injuries. TWZ has confirmed that the arrestment failed on touchdown and the jet careened off the deck. MH-60 Seahawk squadron HSC-11 made the rescue.
The subsequent investigation found that the jet was lost “following the failure of the #4 arresting wire aboard Truman. The investigation found the failure was caused by a malfunctioning #4 starboard sheave damper. Contributing factors included inadequate maintenance practices, low manning levels, limited knowledge, and insufficient training. The high operational tempo and combat conditions also contributed to a strained environment. No injuries occurred, and flight operations resumed within hours.”
“These investigations assessed underlying procedural compliance and standards and reviewed how a Carrier Strike Group prepares for and responds to adversity during combat operations,” the Navy said Thursday in its release. “Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby emphasized the Navy’s commitment to learning from these events and implementing changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.”
Despite these incidents, the “Navy’s sustained combat operations in the U.S. Central Command area of operations for the past two years demonstrated our battle effectiveness and ability to maintain freedom of navigation,” Kilby explained. “As we reflect on these incidents and ongoing improvement efforts, the Navy remains laser-focused on producing battle-ready Sailors and forces to ensure the Navy provides our nation with the most lethal, combat-credible, and ready force possible.”
The four investigations “reinforce the need to continue investing in our people to ensure we deliver battle-ready forces to operational commanders,” Kilby added. “Despite the challenges, the Sailors of the Harry S. Truman Strike Group demonstrated adaptability, professionalism, and complete commitment to the mission throughout the deployment.”
More information about these investigations was revealed during a media roundtable with Navy officials at 1 p.m. We will update this story with any pertinent details provided.
Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com