Friendly Fire Downed a Navy Super Hornet

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Navy investigations reveal three F/A-18 Super Hornets were lost during a single deployment, including one shot down by friendly fire from a U.S. cruiser.

Story Highlights

USS Gettysburg shot down friendly F/A-18 on December 22, 2024, mistaking it for enemy missiles
Two additional Super Hornets lost in separate shipboard accidents aboard USS Truman
All three losses deemed preventable, caused by training deficiencies and equipment failures
Investigations expose systemic problems in integrated training and maintenance oversight

Friendly Fire Incident Exposes Critical Training Gaps

USS Gettysburg’s combat information center misidentified two returning F/A-18F Super Hornets as hostile anti-ship cruise missiles on December 22, 2024, launching surface-to-air missiles that destroyed one aircraft and narrowly missed another. Investigators found that identification-friend-or-foe systems had known deficiencies, and watchstanders lacked sufficient proficiency to reconcile conflicting radar data before authorizing lethal engagement. The Navy concluded the missile fire was neither “reasonable” nor “prudent,” highlighting dangerous gaps in crew training and equipment reliability that put American lives at risk.

Shipboard Accidents Reveal Maintenance Failures

Two additional Super Hornets were lost in separate accidents aboard USS Truman due to procedural lapses and maintenance shortcuts. One aircraft rolled backward off the deck edge after improper securing arrangements in the hangar bay, nearly injuring sailors before going overboard with its spotting dolly. The third loss occurred when an arresting cable failed during landing recovery after being improperly reassembled earlier that day, forcing the crew to eject as their aircraft departed the flight deck.

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Systemic Problems Threaten Navy Readiness

The investigation findings reveal a troubling pattern of “lack of integrated training opportunities” between surface ships and carrier air wings, coupled with material deficiencies in critical identification systems. Losing three front-line strike fighters in one deployment signals structural problems rather than isolated incidents, echoing concerns raised after the 2017 USS Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain collisions. The failures occurred during high-tempo Red Sea operations against Iranian-backed Houthi forces, where operational pressure and crew fatigue created conditions for preventable mishaps.

Navy releases investigation on 3 lost planes, including one to friendly fire https://t.co/Sv3NxY2a2d

— Task & Purpose (@TaskandPurpose) December 4, 2025

Leadership Failures Demand Accountability

Navy investigators attributed the mishaps primarily to leadership failures, training shortfalls, and operational fatigue during intense combat operations. The loss of three multi-million-dollar aircraft degrades strike capacity and imposes significant unplanned costs on taxpayers, while undermining confidence in air defense procedures within the strike group. These incidents highlight the dangerous consequences of inadequate pre-deployment training and the temptation to cut corners on quality assurance when operational demands outpace available manpower and resources, raising serious questions about Navy leadership’s commitment to protecting our warfighters.