U.S. Navy Cruiser Accidentally Shoots Down U.S. Fighter Jet in Red Sea
In a rare and concerning incident over the Red Sea, the USS Gettysburg, a guided missile cruiser, accidentally shot down a U.S. fighter jet early on Sunday morning, marking what U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) described as “an apparent case of friendly fire.”
The incident involved an F-18 fighter jet, which was operating from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, part of a U.S. Navy strike group currently deployed in the region. According to CENTCOM, the two Navy pilots onboard the F-18 managed to eject safely before the jet was shot down. One of the pilots sustained minor injuries, but both were rescued and returned to safety. CENTCOM confirmed that the incident was not caused by hostile fire, and a full investigation is now underway to determine how the accident occurred.
The USS Gettysburg is part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, which is currently stationed in the Red Sea as part of ongoing U.S. military operations in the Middle East. While CENTCOM provided few details on the exact circumstances of the accident, the timing and location suggest the incident may be linked to the tense security environment in the region.
The Truman Carrier Strike Group is engaged in multiple missions, including the protection of international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, as well as support for Israel amidst its ongoing conflict with Hamas. Additionally, U.S. forces are actively involved in countering missile and drone attacks from the Iranian-backed Houthi rebel group in Yemen.
CENTCOM has previously pointed to the complexity of the environment, where incoming missile and drone threats from the Houthis have given sailors only seconds to react. It’s possible that the fast-paced nature of these operations, combined with the proximity of friendly and hostile forces, contributed to the tragic mistake.
The U.S. military has been involved in a number of operations in the region, particularly in response to the growing threats from the Houthis. On the day before the accidental shootdown, U.S. warplanes conducted airstrikes on a missile facility in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, targeting a site reportedly used by the Houthis to launch attacks against U.S. and international interests in the region.
The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have increasingly escalated their efforts to disrupt shipping in the Red Sea and launch strikes against U.S. and Saudi targets. Following the shootdown of the F-18, the group’s spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for launching eight drones and 17 cruise missiles at U.S. military assets, including the jet. However, CENTCOM has unequivocally stated that the downing of the F-18 was due to friendly fire, not a Houthi attack.
While the investigation into the accident is still in its early stages, CENTCOM has emphasized that the shootdown was not the result of hostile action. The U.S. military’s response to the incident will likely include a thorough review of operational protocols and communication systems aboard the USS Gettysburg and within the broader strike group.
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