In the volatile waters of the Red Sea, an incident aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) has sparked renewed scrutiny over the U.S. Navy’s operations in high-threat maritime environments. On April 28, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier lost an F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136, along with the tow tractor that was moving it. One sailor sustained a minor injury. All other personnel were unharmed.
The aircraft and tractor were lost while the Super Hornet was being towed through the hangar bay. According to a statement from the U.S. Navy, the move crew lost control of the aircraft, leading to both the jet and the tow tractor plunging overboard. Eyewitness reports suggest that a sharp evasive maneuver may have contributed to the loss, possibly in response to Houthi missile threats in the region.
While the Navy has launched a formal investigation, the incident underlines the increasing risks of operating in a contested maritime zone — particularly one as strategically vital as the Red Sea.
The USS Harry S. Truman, part of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8, has seen intense action since deploying in September 2024. Its presence in the Red Sea is part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational mission aimed at countering the threat posed by Iranian-backed Houthi militants who have launched repeated attacks against commercial and military vessels.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the Truman may have executed a hard turn to evade incoming Houthi fire when the mishap occurred. If verified, it would further demonstrate how unpredictable and hazardous naval operations in the area have become.
Despite the dramatic nature of the accident, U.S. Navy officials maintain that the Truman and its embarked air wing remain fully mission capable. Still, the incident raises concerns about carrier vulnerability and operational stability in active threat zones.
The strike group, centered around the Truman, includes nine squadrons from Carrier Air Wing 1, the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64), and three guided-missile destroyers from Destroyer Squadron 28. Together, they represent one of the Navy’s most potent forward-deployed maritime forces.
Strangely, this is not the first time an F/A-18E Super Hornet has been lost aboard the Truman in unusual circumstances. On July 8, 2022, while operating in the Mediterranean Sea, an F/A-18E was blown off the flight deck due to a sudden storm with intense winds and rain. No one was in the aircraft at the time, but one sailor was injured.
The aircraft was later recovered from a depth of approximately 9,500 feet in a high-profile salvage operation led by Task Force 68 and Naval Sea Systems Command. A CURV-21 remotely operated vehicle was used to attach rigging to the submerged jet, which was lifted aboard the construction vessel MPV Everest.
That incident was attributed to weather. The April 28 event, in contrast, may be linked to hostile activity, which could represent a more profound strategic and operational problem.
The Truman’s current deployment has been anything but routine. It began in Europe and transitioned into the Red Sea amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Throughout this time, the ship and its crew have been engaged in numerous operations — some of which have ended in missteps.
One of the most alarming incidents occurred in December 2024, when an F/A-18F Super Hornet launched from the Truman was mistakenly shot down by the USS Gettysburg. The friendly fire episode resulted in a major internal review and drew widespread media attention. Although the crew of the Gettysburg responded in accordance with standing orders under confusing threat conditions, the incident highlighted weaknesses in coordination and communication during high-stress combat operations.
On February 12, 2025, the Truman collided with the Turkish-flagged merchant vessel Besiktas-M near Port Said, Egypt. While the carrier sustained no critical damage, a subsequent Navy inspection found significant structural harm to storage and maintenance areas, including the fantail and an external platform.
Emergent repairs were conducted at Souda Bay, Crete. Shortly afterward, on February 20, Capt. Dave Snowden, commanding officer of the Truman, was relieved of duty for a “loss of confidence in his ability to command.” He was replaced by Capt. Christopher “Chodaw” Hill from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The Red Sea has become one of the world’s most dangerous naval theaters. As a key conduit for global trade, including energy shipments from the Persian Gulf to Europe and Asia, any disruption in the region has ripple effects on international commerce and security.
The Houthis have grown bolder in recent years, frequently using drones, anti-ship missiles, and even naval mines to harass shipping and military assets. Backed by Iran, their strategic posture has forced the U.S. Navy to adapt rapidly, increasing patrols, bolstering air defenses, and deploying more advanced surveillance assets.
On March 15, 2025, President Donald Trump declared that the U.S. would use “overwhelming lethal force” to ensure maritime security in the Red Sea. In the weeks that followed, the Truman was central in launching precision strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.
These strikes marked a shift in the campaign. Truman-based aircraft employed standoff weapons such as the AGM-154C JSOW and the AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER, allowing them to strike from a safer distance. The use of AGM-88E AARGMs against radar installations also signaled a more sophisticated approach to neutralizing threats before they could target American vessels.
But these operations are not without cost. Each Super Hornet represents more than $60 million in taxpayer investment. The recent loss, especially if tied to evasive action under fire, underscores the high price of maintaining naval dominance in contested zones.
As investigations proceed, the Navy is likely to review not only the mechanics of the towing operation but also broader issues: Are carriers adequately defended against emerging threats? Is deck crew training keeping pace with operational tempos? Are emergency procedures and communications robust enough to handle surprise maneuvers?
There are also strategic implications. Carriers like the Truman are centerpiece assets in U.S. force projection. Any vulnerability — whether from enemy action, weather, or procedural breakdowns — can weaken deterrence and embolden adversaries.
Experts argue that the Truman’s recent mishaps, when viewed collectively, point to systemic fatigue. Extended deployments, high operational tempo, and limited maintenance windows have placed unprecedented stress on personnel and platforms.
Still, officials insist the Navy is up to the challenge. “The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group remains a combat-ready, forward-deployed force,” said a Navy spokesperson. “These incidents, while unfortunate, are part of the reality of operating in dynamic environments.”
The immediate next steps will include salvage planning — although unlike the 2022 incident, the depth and location of the fallen aircraft may make recovery more difficult or even unfeasible. Investigators will also analyze data from the towing team, ship logs, and surveillance footage to piece together the sequence of events.
In the longer term, the Truman’s operations in the Red Sea and beyond will likely continue. Despite controversy, the ship remains a symbol of U.S. naval power, and its air wing continues to fly sorties daily in support of Operation Prosperity Guardian.
Yet the loss of the F/A-18E, alongside the recent track record of accidents, is bound to fuel internal and external calls for change. Whether those changes come in the form of revised training protocols, new technology, or strategic realignments remains to be seen.
