U.S. Navy Reports Detail Catastrophic Mishaps Aboard USS Harry S. Truman
Investigative reports reveal catastrophic findings and substandard practices on the USS Harry S. Truman, including a friendly fire incident and a collision, highlighting significant operational failures.
Overview
The U.S. Navy released investigative reports detailing catastrophic findings and substandard practices that led to multiple incidents involving the USS Harry S. Truman at sea.
In December 2024, the USS Gettysburg mistakenly shot down a fighter jet from the USS Harry S. Truman in a "friendly fire" incident, believing it to be Houthi missiles.
Another significant mishap involved the carrier's collision with a merchant vessel, attributed to unsafe speed and the officer in charge's inadequate action.
The collision was deemed avoidable, as the USS Harry S. Truman's bridge team failed to safely navigate past the merchant vessel, indicating critical operational lapses.
Despite the severity of these incidents, including the friendly fire and collision, no injuries, flooding, or personnel casualties were reported across the various mishaps.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the severity and systemic nature of the Navy's failures. They use strong evaluative language and collectively detail multiple incidents, creating a narrative of widespread operational issues within the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group. The focus is on the negative findings and their implications.
Articles (4)
Center (4)
FAQ
The USS Gettysburg mistook the returning Super Hornets for anti-ship cruise missiles, likely due to confusion following recent Houthi missile and drone attacks. The investigation found that the decision to engage was neither reasonable nor prudent and could have been prevented at multiple levels.
Both pilots ejected safely and were recovered. One crew member sustained minor injuries, but there were no fatalities or serious casualties.
In addition to the friendly fire incident, the USS Harry S. Truman collided with a merchant vessel due to unsafe speed and inadequate action by the bridge team. The Navy also lost two other Super Hornets during the deployment, attributed to various errors and poor decisions.
The USS Harry S. Truman and its strike group were engaged in combat operations against ISIS in Somalia and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, which contributed to the high-stress environment and operational challenges.
The Navy released investigative reports highlighting substandard practices and operational failures. While specific recommendations are not detailed in the articles, the investigations emphasized the need for improved communication, decision-making, and navigation protocols to prevent future mishaps.
History
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