Navy investigations reveal three F/A-18 Super Hornets were lost during a single deployment due to preventable failures in leadership, training, and maintenance—exposing dangerous systemic weaknesses that put our military personnel at risk.
Story Highlights
- USS Gettysburg shot down friendly Super Hornet in December 2024 due to misidentification and training failures
- Two additional F/A-18s lost in separate shipboard accidents aboard USS Harry S. Truman
- All three losses deemed preventable, stemming from leadership failures and equipment deficiencies
- Incidents occurred during high-tempo Red Sea operations against Iranian-backed Houthis
Friendly Fire Incident Exposes Critical Training Gaps
On December 22, 2024, USS Gettysburg’s combat information center catastrophically misidentified two returning F/A-18F Super Hornets as hostile anti-ship cruise missiles. The cruiser fired surface-to-air missiles, destroying one jet and narrowly missing another. Investigators determined that inadequate integrated training between Gettysburg and the carrier strike group created dangerous gaps in situational awareness during combat operations.
The investigation found that identification-friend-or-foe systems on Gettysburg had known deficiencies, and watchstanders lacked sufficient proficiency to reconcile conflicting information before authorizing lethal engagement. Navy officials concluded the missile fire occurred under conditions that were neither “reasonable” nor “prudent,” directly faulting the ship’s commanding officer and air defense team for this preventable tragedy.
A U.S. Navy pilot whose jet was mistakenly shot down by an American warship over the Red Sea told investigators he saw his life flash before his eyes before ejecting from the doomed aircraft.
The command investigation into the late December 2024 friendly fire incident, which… pic.twitter.com/4sIC73re2n
— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) December 4, 2025
Shipboard Accidents Reveal Maintenance and Safety Failures
Two additional Super Hornets were lost in separate accidents aboard USS Harry S. Truman during the deployment. One aircraft rolled backward off the deck edge from the hangar bay after improper securing procedures, dragging a spotting dolly overboard and nearly injuring sailors. The incident highlighted procedural lapses and inadequate oversight of deck operations under operational pressure.
The third loss occurred on May 6, 2025, when an arresting gear cable failed during aircraft recovery. The cable had been improperly reassembled earlier that day due to maintenance shortcuts and missed quality assurance checks. The aircrew was forced to eject as their jet departed the flight deck, underscoring how corner-cutting on critical safety systems endangers our military personnel.
Systemic Problems Echo Previous Naval Disasters
Defense analysts compare these losses to the 2017 USS Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain collisions, which similarly exposed chronic issues in training, readiness, and command oversight. Losing three front-line strike fighters during one deployment represents a major anomaly that signals structural problems rather than isolated incidents. The pattern reveals how high operational tempo combined with insufficient resources creates dangerous conditions for our servicemembers.
Each F/A-18 Super Hornet represents a high-value asset with complex supply chains and limited production capacity. The financial cost pales compared to the potential loss of life these preventable failures could have caused. These incidents demand immediate accountability and systematic reforms to prevent future tragedies that compromise both mission effectiveness and sailor safety.
Sources:
Navy releases investigation on 3 lost planes, including one to friendly fire
Navy blames crew, training for losing F-18s, other mishaps from Truman CSG deployment
Investigations Show Failures Behind Carrier Harry S. Truman Collision, Loss of 3 Super Hornets
Intense operations against Houthis played into Truman strike group accidents, Navy finds
Navy finds USS Truman’s stint in Red Sea was marred by preventable accidents that threatened lives
