harry truman aircraft carrier loses another $60m fighter jet in red sea mishap

The USS Truman suffers its third major incident in months as another F/A-18 Super Hornet plunges into the Red Sea. What’s going wrong aboard the U.S. Navy’s flagship? Full story inside.

⚠️ another f/a-18 super hornet lost from uss truman — what happened?

In a dramatic turn of events, the USS Harry S. Truman—one of the U.S. Navy’s most formidable aircraft carriers—has lost another F/A-18F Super Hornet in the Red Sea. This marks the third major aviation mishap involving the carrier in recent months, raising serious questions about operational safety and readiness.

🛩️ the latest incident: arresting gear failure leads to crash

On May 6, 2025, during a routine landing operation, an F/A-18F Super Hornet attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 attempted to land on the USS Truman. However, the arresting gear failed, causing the aircraft to overshoot the flight deck and plunge into the Red Sea. Both the pilot and the weapons systems officer ejected safely and were rescued with minor injuries. No flight deck personnel were harmed.

🛠️ previous mishaps: a troubling pattern

This incident follows two other significant mishaps:

• April 28, 2025: An F/A-18E Super Hornet was lost when it rolled off the deck during a sudden maneuver to evade a Houthi missile and drone attack. The aircraft was being towed at the time, and both the pilot and the towing tractor operator escaped with minor injuries.

• December 22, 2024: In a tragic friendly fire incident, an F/A-18F Super Hornet was mistakenly shot down by the USS Gettysburg, a cruiser in the Truman's strike group. Both pilots ejected safely, with one sustaining minor injuries.

🌍 strategic implications: operational readiness under scrutiny

The USS Harry S. Truman has been a central figure in U.S. military operations against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Despite the recent mishaps, the Navy maintains that the Truman Carrier Strike Group remains fully mission-capable. However, the repeated incidents have sparked concerns about the carrier's operational readiness and the safety protocols in place during high-tempo operations in hostile environments.

📊 quick facts: the uss harry s. truman and recent incidents

• Carrier Name: USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75)

• Aircraft Lost: Three F/A-18 Super Hornets since December 2024

• Recent Missions: Operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen

• Notable Incidents:

  • December 2024: Friendly fire incident

  • April 2025: Aircraft lost during evasive maneuver

  • May 2025: Arresting gear failure during landing

🔮 what's next: investigations and future operations

The Navy has launched investigations into each of these incidents to determine the root causes and implement corrective measures. As tensions in the Red Sea region continue, the USS Truman and its air wing are expected to maintain their operational tempo, supporting U.S. interests and ensuring maritime security.

📢 conclusion: a call for enhanced safety measures

The recent string of incidents aboard the USS Harry S. Truman underscores the challenges faced by naval operations in high-threat environments. While the carrier remains a critical asset in projecting U.S. power, these events highlight the need for rigorous safety protocols and continuous evaluation of operational procedures.

👉 What are your thoughts on these developments? Share your insights in the comments below!
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