Navy: Houthi ops stressed Truman strike group
The U.S. Navy released investigation findings Thursday concluding that intense operations against Yemen’s Houthis contributed to a series of mishaps involving the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group during its Sept. 2024–May 2025 deployment. The report details “Operation Rough Rider” (Mar. 15–May 6), more than 1,000 airstrikes and 72 hours of continuous flight ops, and links the high-tempo combat environment to a December friendly-fire incident by USS Gettysburg, a February collision near the Suez Canal, and two F-18 losses in April and May. Vice CNO Adm. Jim Kilby said accountability actions were taken (details redacted) and emphasized adherence to procedures in combat conditions; no fatalities occurred, but damages are estimated at about $164 million.
📌 Key Facts
- Operation Rough Rider ran Mar. 15–May 6; 52 days of flight ops, including 72 hours continuous; 1,000+ strikes and over 1 million pounds of ordnance expended.
- Incidents: Dec. friendly fire (USS Gettysburg fired on two F-18s); Feb. collision near Suez Canal; F-18 losses in April and May; no deaths reported.
- Costs: ~{$}164M total; specific F-18 losses estimated at $36.14M and $60.26M; temporary collision repairs ~$685,000; one F‑18 abandoned valued at ~$67M.
- Close calls: A missile passed 1–2 plane lengths behind one jet; eight sailors were ~10 feet from impact area during the collision; a strike 100 feet forward could have hit berthing for ~120 sailors.
- Accountability: Adm. Jim Kilby said appropriate actions were taken; accountability details were redacted in released reports.
📊 Relevant Data
The rate of Class A aviation mishaps in the US military increased by 55% from 1.30 per 100,000 flight hours in 2020 to 2.02 in 2024.
Recent data shows significant spike in US military aircraft accidents — Military Times
The US Navy reported 8 Class A aviation mishaps in 2024 and 14 in 2025.
Recent data shows significant spike in US military aircraft accidents — Military Times
In 2024, there were 81 confirmed Houthi attacks on vessels, with 69 targeting vessels affiliated with Israel, the US, or the UK.
Red Sea update: Resumption of Houthi campaign — Gard's Insights
The US and UK conducted 931 airstrikes on Houthi positions between January 2024 and January 2025.
The Houthis' Red Sea Attacks Explained — International Crisis Group