5 Critical Incidents And Key Takeaways From The Latest Harry S. Truman CSG Deployment (2024–2025)

The USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG), also known as Carrier Strike Group EIGHT (CSG 8), remains one of the U.S. Navy's most crucial forward-deployed assets, but its latest mission has drawn intense scrutiny. As of December 21, 2025, the focus is not on their current location, but on the findings of a major Navy investigation into a series of "preventable" mishaps that occurred during the strike group’s extended deployment from September 2024 to May 2025, primarily operating in the Red Sea and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility. This deep dive uncovers the key incidents, the Navy’s official conclusions regarding crew and training deficiencies, and the current leadership steering the future of this powerful Nimitz-class asset. The HSTCSG’s recent eight-month deployment was strategically vital, involving operations in highly contested maritime environments, including the Red Sea, where they were tasked with ensuring regional stability and security. However, the mission was marred by four serious incidents at sea, prompting a comprehensive command investigation whose results were recently released, highlighting significant concerns over procedural compliance and training standards across the strike group.

Commander, Carrier Strike Group EIGHT (CSG 8) Profile: Rear Admiral Forrest Young

The leadership of the Carrier Strike Group is a critical component of its operational readiness and success. The command of CSG 8, which is the administrative and tactical headquarters for the *Harry S. Truman* and its accompanying ships, recently transitioned to a new flag officer. The current commander is Rear Admiral Forrest Young.

• Position: Commander, Carrier Strike Group EIGHT (CSG 8).
• Date Assumed Command: Rear Adm. Young assumed command from Rear Adm. Sean Bailey in a change of command ceremony aboard the USS Harry S. Truman.
• Education: He is a proud graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He also holds a master's degree from the U.S. Naval War College.
• Background: Rear Adm. Young was raised in the National Capital Region. His career prior to CSG 8 has involved extensive naval aviation and command roles, typical of a flag officer selected to lead a Carrier Strike Group.
• Role: As the CSG 8 Commander, he is responsible for the operational readiness, training, and deployment of the entire strike group, including the carrier, the air wing (CVW 1), and all surface combatants.

Rear Admiral Young's leadership will be pivotal in addressing the systemic issues identified in the recent investigations, focusing on enhancing procedural compliance and crew training to ensure the HSTCSG maintains its status as a premier global fighting force.

The Harry S. Truman CSG’s 2024–2025 Deployment: A Review of Critical Incidents

The deployment of the *USS Harry S. Truman* (CVN 75) and its accompanying ships from September 2024 to May 2025 was a high-profile mission, particularly due to its extended presence in the U.S. Central Command area of operations (AOR) and the Red Sea. The deployment was extended by the Secretary of Defense, underscoring its strategic importance during a period of heightened regional tension. However, the mission is now primarily remembered for a series of four major, and ultimately deemed "preventable," mishaps that led to the Navy releasing detailed investigative reports.

Key Mishaps and Navy Investigation Findings

The Navy's investigations concluded that the four major incidents were largely attributable to a breakdown in standard operating procedures, inadequate crew training, and poor watchstanding practices. The findings underscore the immense pressure and complexity of sustained combat operations.

1. The Friendly Fire Incident (Mistaken Identity):

A particularly alarming event detailed in the reports was a friendly fire incident where the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) mistook friendly F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets for incoming hostile missiles. The cruiser's crew initiated a defensive action based on a misidentification of aircraft from their own Carrier Air Wing (CVW 1). This event, which occurred in late 2024, highlighted a critical failure in tactical communication and identification protocols in a high-threat environment.

2. The Loss of F/A-18 Super Hornets:

The deployment saw the loss of multiple F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft, the workhorse of the Carrier Air Wing. The investigative reports focused on two separate incidents involving the loss of two F/A-18s. While the exact causes vary, the Navy’s findings pointed to procedural errors and a lack of adherence to established standards as contributing factors in the loss of the multi-million dollar assets and the associated risk to personnel.

3. The February 2025 Collision:

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On February 12, 2025, a collision occurred between two vessels within the strike group. This type of incident is highly unusual and serious, as the ships of a CSG operate in close formation and are trained extensively to prevent such occurrences. The investigation into the collision again cited watchstanding deficiencies and a failure to maintain appropriate situational awareness as key causal factors.

4. Additional Preventable Incidents:

The reports covered a total of four significant incidents, with the overarching theme being that all were "preventable." The conclusion was a direct indictment of the need for improved training and a renewed focus on fundamental seamanship and aviation operational procedures across the board. The Navy’s response has been a commitment to a detailed review of training pipelines and operational standards to mitigate future risks.

The Full Power of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG 8)

The *Harry S. Truman* Carrier Strike Group is a formidable, multi-mission naval force designed to project power globally. Its composition, while variable, is built around the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, making it a highly flexible and lethal unit capable of conducting a full spectrum of combat operations.

Core Composition (The HSTCSG Battle Group)

The strike group is permanently designated as Carrier Strike Group EIGHT (CSG 8). For the September 2024–May 2025 deployment, the core components included:

• Flagship: USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) – A Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Named after the 33rd U.S. President.
• Carrier Air Wing (CVW): Carrier Air Wing ONE (CVW 1). This air wing typically comprises 8-9 squadrons, including F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes, and various helicopter squadrons (HSM/HSC).
• Guided-Missile Cruiser: USS Gettysburg (CG 64) – A Ticonderoga-class cruiser, which provides crucial air defense and command and control capabilities.
• Guided-Missile Destroyers: The strike group typically includes multiple Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, such as the USS Stout (DDG 55), which perform anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare missions.

The Strategic Importance of HSTCSG

The *Harry S. Truman* CSG’s recent deployment saw it operate in the U.S. Fifth Fleet and CENTCOM areas, a region of immense strategic importance covering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Red Sea. The presence of a Carrier Strike Group in this AOR is a clear signal of U.S. commitment to freedom of navigation and regional stability, particularly in response to threats to commercial shipping lanes. The investigations, while concerning, ultimately serve to reinforce the Navy's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of readiness and operational excellence for its most powerful assets. The lessons learned from the 2024–2025 deployment will directly influence future training and procedural updates for all Carrier Strike Groups.

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