Navy Carrier Group’s Middle East Mission Troubled by Friendly Fire, Jet Losses, and Ship Collision

The U.S. Navy has released the results of four major investigations examining a series of serious incidents involving the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier group during a nine-month deployment in the Middle East. The findings reveal that multiple ships and crews were not fully prepared for the operational tempo they faced, despite conducting 52 consecutive days of airstrikes against Yemeni militant targets.

According to the Navy, the carrier strike group encountered several major mishaps, including a friendly-fire incident, lost aircraft, and a collision at sea, all unfolding during an intense, sustained combat environment. Investigators concluded that the unusually high operational demands exposed weaknesses in training, readiness, and coordination across the group.

The review highlights that while the sailors and air crews showed remarkable dedication during the mission, the deployment revealed significant gaps that must be addressed to ensure safety and effectiveness in future high-stress operations.

The Navy says it is moving forward with corrective measures, including updated training protocols, strengthened command oversight, and revised readiness assessments to prevent similar failures during future deployments.