In a significant mishap over the Red Sea, a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet was inadvertently shot down by the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg. The ship is part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group.
Both pilots ejected safely; one of them sustained minor injuries.
The Red Sea is one of the world’s most important trade routes. Attacks on container vessels have been wreaking havoc starting in 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel and Israel retaliated.
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The Pentagon confirmed the incident in a press release, stating, “The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18,” describing it as a “friendly fire” error.
The downing occurred after the U.S. conducted airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthi militant targets in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. The strikes were intended to disrupt Houthi operations threatening international shipping in the Red Sea and surrounding areas.
