An alarming Navy mishap highlights ongoing concerns about operational readiness and crew training, with the USS Gettysburg mistakenly targeting friendly aircraft.
Story Highlights
- The USS Gettysburg fired on friendly F/A-18F jets, mistaking them for enemy missiles.
- The incident occurred during nighttime operations in the Red Sea, December 2024.
- The Navy’s investigation cites systemic failures in training and procedural adherence.
- The mishap was part of a cluster of four preventable incidents involving the Truman CSG.
Navy Incident Sparks Concerns Over Operational Readiness
On December 22, 2024, the USS Gettysburg, a guided-missile cruiser, mistakenly fired on friendly F/A-18F Super Hornets during night operations in the Red Sea. The aircraft were misidentified as Houthi missiles amid heightened tensions in the region. Fortunately, the jets were not hit, averting a potential catastrophe. This mishap forms part of a troubling pattern of errors during the USS Harry S. Truman’s deployment.
The Navy’s investigation reveals that the Gettysburg’s crew failed to correlate radar tracks with friendly aircraft flight plans, leading to the erroneous missile launch. This incident underscores deficiencies in crew training, procedural adherence, and risk management. Navy leadership is now under pressure to address these systemic issues to prevent future occurrences.
Investigation Findings and Systemic Failures
The Navy’s official report, released in December 2025, identifies a series of failures that allowed the Gettysburg to engage friendly aircraft. Poor communication and coordination, along with inadequate training, were cited as primary causes. This incident was not an isolated error but part of four major mishaps during the deployment, which led to an estimated $164 million in losses.
The Navy’s findings emphasize that these incidents were preventable and highlight the need for improved training and procedural reforms. The report calls for enhanced identification protocols and better integration of air defense systems to ensure mission success without compromising safety.
Implications for Future Operations
The near-fratricide incident has raised serious concerns about the reliability of integrated air and missile defense systems under combat conditions. It has also shaken the trust between aviators and surface combatants, emphasizing the need for robust training and procedural adherence.
Navy leadership is now committed to revising training doctrines and improving risk management practices. These changes aim to enhance operational readiness and ensure the safety of personnel and equipment. As the Navy moves forward, it is crucial to learn from these incidents to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Sources:
WTKR: $164 Million Lost Due to Incidents During USS Harry S. Truman’s Latest Deployment
