A U.S. Navy missile cruiser mistakenly shot down one of its own fighter jets over the Red Sea, raising concerns about military readiness amid escalating tensions in the region.
At a Glance
- USS Gettysburg accidentally fired on a U.S. F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet
- Two Navy pilots ejected safely, with one sustaining minor injuries
- Incident occurred amid increased U.S. military presence countering Houthi rebels
- Full investigation underway to determine the cause of the friendly fire
Friendly Fire Incident Shocks Navy
In a startling turn of events, the U.S. Navy faced a severe operational error when the USS Gettysburg, a guided-missile cruiser, mistakenly shot down one of its own F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets over the Red Sea. The incident occurred as the U.S. has been ramping up its military presence in the area to counter threats from Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The two-seat F/A-18 Super Hornet, from Strike Fighter Squadron 11 based at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, had just taken off from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier when it was hit. Fortunately, both pilots managed to eject safely into the Red Sea, though one sustained minor injuries.
Two U.S. Navy pilots ejected safely over the Red Sea after their F/A-18 fighter aircraft was mistakenly shot down early Sunday in what military officials are calling "an apparent case of friendly fire." https://t.co/VBZS0ERplg
— ABC News (@ABC) December 22, 2024
Heightened Tensions in the Red Sea
This mishap comes at a time of increased military activities in the Red Sea region. The U.S. Navy has been patrolling the area for over a year, addressing attacks on commercial ships by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Houthis have escalated their attacks on shipping vessels, claiming to target ships linked to the United States, United Kingdom, or Israel.
The situation in the Red Sea has become increasingly volatile, with the Houthis seizing at least one vessel and sinking two others, including a Belize-flagged ship off Yemen’s coast in March. In response, the U.S. military has conducted precision airstrikes against Houthi missile storage and command facilities.
Investigation Underway
The U.S. Central Command is conducting a full investigation into the latest incident. While details on the cause of the mix-up are yet to be revealed, officials noted that in previous incidents, sailors had mere seconds to respond to Houthi attacks, highlighting the high-pressure environment in which these operations take place.
