US Navy Fighter Jet Downed in ‘Friendly Fire’ Incident Over Red Sea
The Red Sea has become a hotspot for military operations amid ongoing Houthi attacks on international shipping.
WASHINGTON: A US Navy F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet was downed over the Red Sea on Sunday in a “friendly fire” incident, which was confirmed by US military officials. The jet, part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, was mistakenly targeted by the USS Gettysburg, a guided missile cruiser, during a heightened military operation in the region. Both crew members ejected safely, with one sustaining only minor injuries.
The jet had just taken off from the USS Harry S. Truman and was part of the Navy’s Strike Fighter Squadron 11, known as the “Red Rippers.” At the time, US forces were engaged in airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, aimed at disrupting missile storage sites and command facilities in Houthi-controlled areas. The friendly fire incident occurred as the USS Gettysburg mistakenly fired on the F/A-18, which was not under hostile attack.
This incident, confirmed by US Central Command (CENTCOM), is under investigation to determine how the mistake occurred. The military emphasized that the downing did not involve hostile fire, highlighting the challenges of operating in a region of escalating tensions.
The Red Sea has become a hotspot for military operations amid ongoing Houthi attacks on international shipping. Backed by Iran, the Houthi rebels have been targeting vessels in the Red Sea since October 2023, escalating tensions following the Gaza conflict. The US, along with its allies, launched Operation Prosperity Guardian in December 2023 to safeguard vital shipping lanes from Houthi missile and drone strikes.
Despite efforts to protect maritime trade routes, the region remains volatile, with both Houthi and Israeli missile exchanges intensifying. The Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks on shipping until the Gaza conflict ends, further complicating the security situation in the Red Sea.
Read More: Firefighters Gain Control Over California’s Mountain Fire, Many Evacuees Begin Returning
This latest friendly fire incident highlights the increasingly dangerous and complex military environment in the region, as global powers and regional actors engage in a tense and evolving conflict.
