US Navy Investigation Reveals Troubling Patterns in Truman Strike Group Operations Against Houthis
The US Navy's investigation into a series of accidents involving the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier strike group has shed light on the intense operational environment and resulting stresses faced by crew members during combat operations against the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
From March 15 to May 6, the Truman participated in Operation Rough Rider, which aimed to disrupt Houthi attacks on merchant ships and US Navy vessels. The deployment was marked by grueling flight schedules, with aircraft flying for 52 days straight, including 72 hours of continuous operations. Flight crews conducted over 1,000 air strikes, using more than a million pounds of ordnance against the Houthis.
However, this intense operational tempo came at a cost. In December, a friendly fire incident occurred when a Navy destroyer launched missiles at two F-18 fighter jets, while in February, a collision near the Suez Canal resulted in damage to the aircraft carrier and temporary repairs costing over $685,000.
In May, the Truman suffered a tragic loss of an F-18 fighter jet due to an arresting wire failure. The crew was under significant stress, having deployed for a "significantly stressful" period while conducting combat operations against the Houthis.
Navy investigations have found that a multitude of factors contributed to each incident, but overall, they recommend service members improve their adherence to Navy processes, particularly in high-stress combat environments.
The incidents collectively resulted in estimated costs of over $164 million, including the loss of an F-18 aircraft valued at around $67 million. While no personnel were killed, there were close calls, such as when two crew members narrowly avoided being struck by a missile and had to eject from their planes.
Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jim Kilby acknowledged that "all of these mishaps were avoidable" and emphasized the need for continued investment in training to ensure service members deliver "battle-ready forces." While accountability actions have been taken, further details on these measures remain redacted.
The US Navy's investigation into a series of accidents involving the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier strike group has shed light on the intense operational environment and resulting stresses faced by crew members during combat operations against the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
From March 15 to May 6, the Truman participated in Operation Rough Rider, which aimed to disrupt Houthi attacks on merchant ships and US Navy vessels. The deployment was marked by grueling flight schedules, with aircraft flying for 52 days straight, including 72 hours of continuous operations. Flight crews conducted over 1,000 air strikes, using more than a million pounds of ordnance against the Houthis.
However, this intense operational tempo came at a cost. In December, a friendly fire incident occurred when a Navy destroyer launched missiles at two F-18 fighter jets, while in February, a collision near the Suez Canal resulted in damage to the aircraft carrier and temporary repairs costing over $685,000.
In May, the Truman suffered a tragic loss of an F-18 fighter jet due to an arresting wire failure. The crew was under significant stress, having deployed for a "significantly stressful" period while conducting combat operations against the Houthis.
Navy investigations have found that a multitude of factors contributed to each incident, but overall, they recommend service members improve their adherence to Navy processes, particularly in high-stress combat environments.
The incidents collectively resulted in estimated costs of over $164 million, including the loss of an F-18 aircraft valued at around $67 million. While no personnel were killed, there were close calls, such as when two crew members narrowly avoided being struck by a missile and had to eject from their planes.
Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jim Kilby acknowledged that "all of these mishaps were avoidable" and emphasized the need for continued investment in training to ensure service members deliver "battle-ready forces." While accountability actions have been taken, further details on these measures remain redacted.
. 1k air strikes is insane, they must've been flying non-stop for months. It's no wonder things went wrong with that arresting wire fail. They need to work on those planes ASAP 
. And what's up with all these costs? $164 million just because of a few mishaps? That's like 1/3 of my car's value 
. We gotta make sure our military is prepared for these situations, not just throwing money at the problem 
. But I'm glad no one was killed... that's a huge relief 
.
That's wild stuff 
Aircraft flying non-stop for 52 days is like me playing video games straight for a week without a break 
F-18 jets must be super stressed out too 
Navy needs to step up training & process game 
Invest in mental health support too 
. I'm all for getting the job done and defending our interests, but at what cost to human life and mental health? The fact that there were close calls like that missile incident is just chilling 
.
they're not just fighting for country, but also for themselves and their crew 
And an F-18 aircraft valued at $67 million? That's just heartbreaking 
. We need to make sure our military is investing in the right things, like keeping our people safe and effective, not just throwing cash around 
. Let's hope these incidents are a wake-up call for the Navy to get their act together and prioritize our troops' well-being 
1k+ air strikes with only 52 days of straight flying? that's like trying to study for an exam nonstop 
gotta give credit tho, the crew is doin' some intense ops but the stress levels are no joke 
And that arresting wire failure? totally sketchy. I mean, how hard is it to fix a wire?! 
. You gotta wonder if they're even human at this point... 52 days straight without rest? that's just crazy talk! 
Improve those processes, stat!
. And let's be real, $164 million ain't cheap 
. And what about the crew members who had close calls? Those two guys who almost got taken out by a missile were lucky, I guess 
.