US Navy Faces Challenges Amid Ongoing Deployment

The U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier group Truman faced significant challenges during its deployment from September 2024 to May 2025 in the Middle East, culminating in multiple accidents. The carrier group collided with a merchant vessel, lost fighter jets in friendly fire incidents, and experienced a failed arresting cable during landings.

Investigations revealed that poor training, improper procedures, and crew fatigue significantly contributed to these accidents, with Navy Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. James Kilby, stating that disciplinary actions were taken.

The Truman carrier group conducted 52 consecutive days of strikes against Houthi militants in Yemen, who targeted shipping in the Red Sea amid a U.S.-led bombing campaign. Investigators noted that the carrier's systems were not adequately prepared for combat, leading to a breakdown in operational standards.

In one incident, the USS Gettysburg mistakenly shot down a friendly Super Hornet due to communication failures and deficient sensor systems. In another, the Truman collided with the merchant vessel Besiktas after watch standers failed to communicate concerns about the ship's speed.

The investigations concluded that a culture of procedural non-compliance and extreme crew fatigue contributed to the accidents, with sailors reportedly receiving only two to four hours of sleep between shifts.

Despite no fatalities occurring, these incidents raised serious questions about U.S. naval readiness and operational strategy in the face of ongoing conflicts in the region. The Houthi attacks were described as targeting military and commercial vessels in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, prompting military action from the Biden and Trump administrations.