Houthi Conflict

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.