A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet jet was shot down by friendly fire over the Red Sea, leaving many questions unanswered about the costly incident.
At a Glance
- USS Gettysburg mistakenly fired on and hit an F/A-18 Super Hornet jet over the Red Sea
- Both pilots ejected safely, with one sustaining minor injuries
- The incident occurred amid ongoing U.S. military operations in the region
- Each F/A-18 Super Hornet costs approximately $55.7 million
- An investigation into the incident is underway
Friendly Fire Incident Details
In a surprising turn of events, the U.S. military reported that an F/A-18 Super Hornet jet was shot down by friendly fire over the Red Sea. The incident occurred when the USS Gettysburg, a guided-missile cruiser part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired upon the aircraft. Both pilots managed to eject safely, with one reportedly sustaining minor injuries.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released a statement late Saturday confirming the incident. “An F/A-18 Super Hornet jet was shot down in an apparent case of friendly fire,” CENTCOM said. The statement further detailed, “The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64), which is part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18, which was flying off the USS Harry S. Truman. Both pilots were safely recovered. Initial assessments indicate that one of the crew members sustained minor injuries.”
🇺🇸"U.S. SUPER HORNET SHOT DOWN OVER RED SEA"
Two U.S. Navy pilots safely ejected over the Red Sea on Sunday after the F/A-18 fighter jet they were in was shot down by what appeared to be friendly fire.
The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, part of the USS Harry S. Truman… pic.twitter.com/poru69ww0z
— WORLD AT WAR (@World_At_War_6) December 22, 2024
Ongoing Military Operations
The friendly fire incident occurred against the backdrop of ongoing U.S. military operations in the region. Prior to the incident, CENTCOM had conducted airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthi facilities in Yemen. The command reported carrying out “precision airstrikes against a missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility operated by Iran-backed Houthis within Houthi-controlled territory in Sana’a, Yemen.”
“The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, which is part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18,” Central Command said.
However, it remains unclear whether the friendly fire incident is directly related to these airstrikes or another operation. The U.S. military has increased its presence and activities in the region due to ongoing Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea corridor, despite U.S. and European military patrols.
The F/A-18 Super Hornet
The F/A-18 Super Hornet is a versatile, supersonic, twin-engine fighter aircraft that plays a crucial role in U.S. Navy operations. Boeing, the manufacturer of the aircraft, describes it as being “able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum.” The loss of this aircraft represents a significant financial setback, as recent purchases of new Super Hornets have been priced at $55.7 million per aircraft.