US Warplane Brought Down in Red Sea Amid “Friendly Fire” Incident

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An American F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet was shot down over the Red Sea in what the US military described as a "friendly fire" incident. Both crew members ejected safely, with one sustaining minor injuries, according to US Central Command.

 

The mishap occurred against the backdrop of heightened military activity in the region, including a series of US airstrikes targeting Houthi-operated missile storage sites and command facilities in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital. The strikes were part of an effort to counter escalating threats from the Iran-backed Houthi militants, who have launched attacks against US naval warships and merchant vessels in the Southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden.

 

Watch: "US CENTCOM targeted a Houthi missile storage facility and command center in Sana'a, Yemen – during the mission, two Navy pilots were forced to eject in a 'friendly fire' incident"

US CENTCOM targeted a Houthi missile storage facility and command center in Sana'a, Yemen – during the mission, two Navy pilots were forced to eject in a 'friendly fire' incident pic.twitter.com/7ql0PdlNzJ

— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) December 22, 2024

 

US Central Command confirmed that the downed F/A-18 Hornet, which was operating from the USS Harry S. Truman, was struck by a missile fired from the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg. The cruiser is part of the same carrier strike group. "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, which was flying off the USS Harry S. Truman," the statement read.

 

Details remain unclear as to whether the fighter jet had been involved in the operations targeting the Houthis in Yemen. Earlier, US forces conducted strikes in Sanaa, focusing on degrading the militant group's operational capabilities. Central Command stated that the objective was to "disrupt and degrade Houthi operations, such as attacks against US Navy warships and merchant vessels in the Southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden."

 

In addition to the airstrikes, US military assets engaged in Red Sea operations successfully intercepted "multiple Houthi one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles, or drones, and an anti-ship cruise missile." These actions utilized various assets, including F/A-18 fighter jets.

 

The heightened military engagements follow an incident reported by Israel’s military, in which a projectile launched from Yemen struck a park in Tel Aviv. According to Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical service, 16 individuals were treated for injuries caused by shattered glass, and 14 others sustained minor injuries while rushing to protected areas.

 

A Houthi spokesman claimed responsibility for the strike on Israel, stating that the group had used a hypersonic ballistic missile to target a military site.

 

The recent escalation in the region underscores the mounting tensions and complexities in the Red Sea and surrounding areas. While the "friendly fire" incident highlights operational risks in high-stakes environments, the ongoing conflict with the Houthis continues to pose broader challenges for regional stability.

 

Based on a report by BBC 2024-12-23

 

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

Oh dear oh dear, that'll give the Houthies something to laugh about amidst the destruction wrought on them by that plane.