The French website Futura Sciences highlighted the setback suffered by the United States during naval confrontations with the Yemeni Armed Forces, which ended in a major blow to the U.S. fleet.

The website confirmed that the U.S. Navy faced a significant setback in the Red Sea, losing three F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft. It added that the departure of the aircraft carrier USS Truman from the Red Sea constitutes an embarrassment to the U.S. Navy and a strategic failure. 

“The USS Truman, which was supposed to showcase American power against the Houthis, ended up caught in a cycle of technical and human failures throughout its six-month mission, a strategic failure that now raises doubts about the effectiveness of the world’s largest naval fleet,” the report stated.

It noted that Yemeni fighters, despite being technically inferior to the U.S. Navy, managed to maintain pressure and disrupt American dominance in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.

The report reviewed the costly and embarrassing incidents that marked the Truman’s mission, including:
– Late December 2024: an F/A-18 Super Hornet was accidentally shot down by the cruiser USS Gettysburg, which was supposed to protect the carrier.
– Mid-February 2025: a collision between the Truman and a Panamanian commercial vessel near Port Said, which led to the dismissal of Captain Dave Snowden.
– Late April 2025: a Super Hornet fell into the sea while being pulled into the carrier’s hangar.
– Early May 2025: an arresting cable snapped during a Super Hornet landing attempt, causing the aircraft to fall off the carrier’s deck.

The report stressed that these repeated failures raise serious questions about the U.S. Navy’s readiness to face stronger adversaries. The incidents also point to potential gaps in crew training, equipment maintenance, and even the chain of command. The dismissal of Captain Snowden after the collision reflects these organizational issues.

The report concluded that the U.S. Navy’s image suffered a major blow after this mission, especially as competitors, chiefly China and Russia, closely monitor these mistakes. Amid tense geopolitical conditions, this series of failures may have consequences far beyond material losses, potentially undermining the United States’ ability to project military power in crisis regions worldwide.

It added that Yemeni forces remained highly active despite the imposing presence of the U.S. carrier strike group, revealing the fragility of American deterrence. 

While the loss of Super Hornet aircraft in the Red Sea is estimated at around $180 million, the greater damage lies in the Navy’s prestige and operational credibility.

The website concluded that the U.S. Navy’s image has suffered severe harm following the failure of the Red Sea mission, at a time when China and Russia are watching these vulnerabilities very closely.