A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet was accidentally shot down by the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg early Sunday morning over the Red Sea.
The jet, assigned to the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, was struck in what U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed as a friendly fire incident. Both pilots safely ejected from the aircraft and were recovered, though one sustained minor injuries.
The USS Gettysburg, part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on the Super Hornet during operations in a high-alert period. This occurred as U.S. and British forces conducted airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, including a missile storage site and a command facility.
The cruiser, tasked with protecting the carrier and its escorts from missile and drone threats, fired on the aircraft shortly after it launched. The specific weapon used in the incident has not been disclosed.
CENTCOM Conducts Airstrikes Against Iran-Backed Houthi Missile Storage and Command/Control Facilities in Yemen
TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted precision airstrikes against a missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility operated by… pic.twitter.com/YRWWQJIweP
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 21, 2024
A full investigation is being conducted to determine how the accident occurred. This is the first time a crewed U.S. aircraft has been lost to friendly fire in operations against the Houthis, though unmanned drones have been shot down in the past.
