Leaders of the House Oversight Committee are demanding answers from the Navy regarding the alarming prevalence of traumatic brain injuries among pilots and flight officers. In a newly sent letter to Navy Secretary John Phelan, the Committee warns that the Navy has not sufficiently grasped the psychological toll associated with flight operations. The letter expresses concerns that the Navy has not properly addressed the underlying causes of these injuries, which can severely impact aviators’ mental health.
Oversight Chair James Comer of Kentucky, along with Rep. William Timmons of South Carolina, outlined their concerns in a straightforward manner. They noted, “The lack of information on this issue…raises concerns about the adequacy of the information that is being provided to Congress and decision-makers regarding the health and welfare of our warfighters.” Their request includes documents relating to the mental health and physical well-being of F-18 aviators from January 1, 2023, to the present.
Information sought in the letter includes statistical data, medical studies, and reports on six aviators whose identities remain confidential. As the Navy has yet to respond to inquiries on the matter, a sense of urgency is mounting among lawmakers.
Previous correspondence from Comer and Timmons revealed concerns over a secretive project known as Project Odin, launched to investigate brain injuries within the Navy. The project raises questions about Navy protocols and their understanding of potential health risks. As noted by Matthew “Whiz” Buckley, a TOPGUN graduate and F/A-18 fighter pilot, the physical forces aviators endure can be severe. “Landing aboard an aircraft carrier, it’s literally a car crash,” he explained, emphasizing the intense impact of catapult launches. Buckley himself has suffered from brain injuries linked to these harsh flight conditions.
During high-speed maneuvers, fighter pilots often experience severe gravitational forces. “I’d merge with a bad guy in training, pull seven, eight, nine Gs,” said Buckley, illustrating the strain on their bodies and minds. He admits that the Navy’s drinking culture led him to misattribute symptoms like forgetfulness and anger to that lifestyle rather than the flight operations. Sadly, Buckley has lost three fellow F-18 pilots to suicide, highlighting the urgent need for better mental health support.
Many Navy pilots transition to commercial aviation after their military service but may conceal their mental health struggles on job applications. Buckley argues that while the military provides rigorous training for combat situations, it fails to address the psychological scars that may persist long after service. “The military does an incredible job of training us to do some pretty awful things to another human,” he stated. “But when they’re done with us, they do a pretty crappy job of transitioning us back to being human.”
His battle with the Veterans Affairs Department to recognize his injuries as service-related took years, illuminating the challenges veterans face in securing proper care. Buckley described the stark shift from being a respected aviator with a top-secret clearance to confronting the realities of civilian life and the stigma of being labeled a “liar” by the very system designed to support them.
The Navy’s ongoing silence on the matter raises further questions. As the Oversight Committee continues its inquiries, the health and well-being of these aviators hang in the balance. The situation underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding of the long-term risks associated with military aviation, as well as a commitment to ensuring that veterans are treated with the dignity and support they deserve. “It is critical that the Navy take all necessary steps to identify the potential health risks facing aviators and flight officers,” the letter emphasizes.
"*" indicates required fields
