The U.S. Navy confirms it is investigating a high-profile incident involving the loss of a fighter jet that rolled off the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman into the sea during a maneuver in the Middle East. The event occurs as the vessel is operating under an extended deployment, ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid escalating tensions in the region. All personnel are accounted for, though one sailor sustained a minor injury in the incident.
According to Navy officials, the mishap takes place while the $80 million jet is being repositioned within the carrier’s hangar bay. The aircraft was reportedly under tow when the Truman performed a sudden hard turn in response to nearby Houthi missile threats. During the evasive action, the move crew loses control of the jet, which then rolls off the edge of the carrier and into the sea. The aircraft is presumed lost, and recovery efforts are underway, but no timeline has been provided.
CNN reports that the Truman was executing a rapid maneuver to avoid incoming fire from Houthi forces based in Yemen. These groups, backed by Iran, have increased their targeting of U.S. assets in the region in recent months, especially in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. The Truman’s mission had been extended as part of a larger U.S. military posture to deter further aggression and protect vital shipping lanes from militant attacks.
Retired Army Colonel Jack Jacobs, speaking on the challenge of such naval maneuvers, notes that turning a 20-million-pound nuclear-powered carrier to evade a missile is no small task. “It’s like trying to pivot a skyscraper in a high wind. The fact that the Truman attempted it successfully says a lot about the crew’s training—but it also introduces risk to everything onboard, including the aircraft.”
The incident adds to a series of operational challenges faced by the USS Truman since its extended Middle East assignment. Sources onboard have confirmed increased fatigue among sailors, continuous high-alert drills, and logistical stress from prolonged deployment without rotation. Despite these difficulties, naval officials have praised the crew’s performance under pressure and stated that the quick response to the Houthi threat prevented greater harm.
This latest loss highlights broader concerns about the risks of operating in a high-conflict environment and the complexity of maneuvering massive warships under threat conditions. Military analysts say the Truman’s extended deployment—and this incident—demonstrate both the importance and the vulnerability of U.S. aircraft carriers in contested regions.
The Navy has not released the specific type of aircraft that was lost, though it is believed to be an F/A-18 Super Hornet, a standard carrier-based jet used for both air superiority and strike missions. The loss of the aircraft, while not resulting in fatalities, represents a costly setback amid already strained defense resources.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who personally signed the order extending Truman’s presence in the region, is briefed on the incident. He is expected to receive a full operational review later this week, and congressional oversight committees have also requested updates. There is no indication at this time that the incident was due to negligence, though the Navy says standard procedure will include a full review of towing practices, hangar safety protocols, and emergency response procedures.
The USS Harry S. Truman remains on station as part of the U.S. Navy’s deterrence strategy in the Middle East. Additional support assets have been positioned nearby in case of further hostilities, and Pentagon officials maintain that the ship remains fully mission-capable.
