Dec. 5 (UPI) — U.S. Naval operations will improve due to lessons learned from investigations into four recent events involving the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, Navy officials said on Thursday.
Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby called the events a learning experience that will help the Navy improve its operations.
“These investigations reinforce the need to continue investing in our people to ensure we deliver battle-ready forces to operational commanders,” Kilby said in a press release.
“Despite the challenges, the sailors of the Harry S. Truman Strike Group demonstrated adaptability, professionalism and complete commitment to the mission throughout the deployment,” he added.
“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 said.
The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman collided with the merchant vessel Besiktas-M in the Mediterranean Sea near Port Said, Egypt, on Feb. 12, with no injuries or flooding reported on either vessel, the Military Times reported.
The collision was avoidable and was caused by the carrier’s bridge team failing to undertake safe navigation while passing the merchant vessel, the investigation into that event concluded.
The Truman docked at the U.S. Naval Support Activity station in Souda Bay, Greece, to undergo repairs that included installing weathertight bulkheads in damaged areas.
The carrier strike group also lost three F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft in three incidents from December 2024 to May.
The cruiser USS Gettysburg shot down one aircraft in a friendly-fire incident in December 2024, which the Houthis in Yemen claimed to have shot down. No major injuries or casualties were reported.
The incident investigation revealed a lack of integrated training involving the Gettysburg with carrier strike group operations that contributed to the misidentification of the aircraft, according to the incident investigation report.
Another aircraft fell off the Truman’s hangar deck in April as the vessel’s captain initiated evasive maneuvers to avoid an incoming ballistic missile.
A tow tractor was moving the aircraft when both fell from the deck, which the incident investigation showed happened because the aircraft’s brake system failed.
Poor communications between the bridge, flight deck control and hangar bay control also contributed to the accident that caused no injuries or casualties.
A third F/A-18 crashed as its pilot was trying to land on the Truman in May, which did not cause injuries to crew members.
The investigation into that incident showed an arresting wire’s sheave damper had malfunctioned due to inadequate maintenance, which was caused by a combination of insufficient training, limited knowledge, low manning levels and frequent operations, the incident report concluded.
“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,” Kilby said of the incident reports.
