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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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Pentagon Responds

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.

It has not been reported whether the Super Hornet was involved in the Yemen operation at the time of the incident. Or if the jet had been launched from the aircraft carrier that ultimately shot it down.

Red Sea Crisis

The Red Sea crisis began on October 19, 2023, when the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen launched missiles and drones at Israel, demanding it unilaterally withdrawals from Gaza. The Houthis have also attacked British and US ships in the area.

The conflict has escalated over the last year. It now involves multiple nations and disrupts international maritime trade on a larger scale.

The Houthis have attacked over 60 vessels, leading to the rerouting of hundreds of commercial ships around South Africa to avoid the Red Sea. This crisis is linked to the Israel-Hamas war, the Iran-Israel proxy conflict, and the Yemeni crisis.

This friendly fire incident underscores the complexities and risks associated with military operations in the region, highlighting the broader geopolitical tensions affecting the Red Sea and international trade routes.