Two US Navy pilots ejected safely after their fighter jet was shot down over the Red Sea on Saturday in an apparent friendly fire incident, according to a statement from US Central Command. The incident involved an F/A-18 aircraft operating from the USS Harry S. Truman, which was mistakenly fired upon by the USS Gettysburg, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser part of the Truman carrier strike group.
Fortunately, both pilots were recovered, with one crew member sustaining minor injuries as per initial assessments. CENTCOM emphasized that the incident was not a result of hostile fire and that a full investigation is currently underway.
The US has maintained a significant naval presence in the region due to ongoing conflicts, including the war in Gaza. The Iran-backed Houthi militant group in Yemen has previously targeted ships in the Red Sea, leading to heightened tensions in the area.
On the same day as the friendly fire incident, the US conducted airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, utilizing Navy F/A-18 fighter jets and US Air Force assets. The strikes targeted a missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility in Sana’a, Yemen's capital.
Despite the incident, the Houthis continue to engage in hostilities, recently claiming to have fired a hypersonic ballistic missile at an Israeli military target in Tel Aviv. The missile struck the city overnight, causing minor injuries but no fatalities.
As the situation unfolds, the US military remains vigilant in the region, responding to threats and ensuring the safety of its personnel and assets amidst ongoing conflicts.
