The US Navy accidentally shot down one of its own fighter jets over the Red Sea. The incident happened during a military operation, leaving everyone shocked and questioning how such a mistake could happen.
The F/A-18 fighter jet had just taken off from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier when it was hit by friendly fire from the USS Gettysburg, a guided-missile cruiser. The Pentagon confirmed the incident early Sunday morning, just after announcing the success of another bombing raid on Houthi targets in Yemen.
The two pilots on board the F/A-18 were lucky to escape unharmed. Both ejected safely from the jet before it crashed into the sea. While one pilot sustained minor injuries, both were quickly rescued by Navy personnel.
The accident occurred in the midst of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a mission to protect shipping lanes in the Red Sea from Houthi rebels. At the time of the incident, American and British forces were carrying out airstrikes in Yemen, targeting missile storage sites and command centers used by the Houthi group.
While American forces were engaged in these airstrikes, they also took down multiple Houthi drones and missiles, as well as an anti-ship cruise missile over the Red Sea. However, the loss of the F/A-18 was a major setback, as it was the first time a crewed American aircraft had been lost during the mission.
Hours after the friendly fire incident, the US military admitted the mistake. They explained that the USS Gettysburg had “mistakenly fired on” the F/A-18, though they didn’t specify which weapon was used to shoot it down. An investigation has been launched to figure out exactly what went wrong.
This friendly fire incident has raised concerns about how such a blunder could occur during a high-stakes mission. The USS Gettysburg, part of a larger naval strike group, is responsible for protecting against threats in the region, including missile attacks. The ship’s commander, who is in charge of air defense, is now under scrutiny as the investigation continues.
The incident is a stark reminder of the dangers that come with military operations, even when friendly forces are involved. Despite the successful raids against Houthi targets and the downing of enemy missiles, this mistake shows how easily things can go wrong in the heat of battle.
