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

 

 

 

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

Blue on blue is a speciality of the US military

When you "release the dogs of war," you no longer have complete control over them... 

14 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

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

No doubt you will be...........😒

3 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

When you "release the dogs of war," you no longer have complete control over them... 

Eh.......?  

Again a typical Incident.

At least this time revealed with a rare degree of transparency.

Just imagine if it had been Israel that shot the plane down , they would have been talking about it for the next 70 years 

4 minutes ago, transam said:

8 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

When you "release the dogs of war," you no longer have complete control over them... 

Eh.......?  

The full quote is from Shakespeare, "Cry havoc! And release the dogs of war." What the phrase "dogs of war" does is it "...captures the idea of war as a force that, once unleashed, is very difficult to control from either side."

Dogs of War – Origin and Meaning

Just now, WDSmart said:

The full quote is from Shakespeare, "Cry havoc! And release the dogs of war." What the phrase "dogs of war" does is it "...captures the idea of war as a force that, once unleashed, is very difficult to control from either side."

Dogs of War – Origin and Meaning

Glad we sorted that one out.........😋

I for one supported the Houthis in their fight against the Saudis but since they have started attacking  shipping in the Red Sea I no longer support them I wonder how many people feel the same way?

31 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Just imagine if it had been Israel that shot the plane down , they would have been talking about it for the next 70 years 

And the absence of both you thought you’d give it a go.

 

 

32 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Just imagine if it had been Israel that shot the plane down , they would have been talking about it for the next 70 years 

Let's imagine something that didn't happen and then dream up how people would react to the thing that didn't happen because that is very relevant and important.

 

13 minutes ago, The Old Bull said:

I for one supported the Houthis in their fight against the Saudis but since they have started attacking  shipping in the Red Sea I no longer support them I wonder how many people feel the same way?

 

I think you should look in the mirror and ask yourself how you could have possibly ever supported a very obvious evil terrorist group.

39 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Just imagine if it had been Israel that shot the plane down , they would have been talking about it for the next 70 years 

Exactly, would have been a UN resolution drafted straight away.

 

As it turns out the terrorist Houthis tried to claim credit for the shooting down first before the US revealed the real cause. Always trust the scum who side with Hamas to lie.

Since the Allied defeat of Nazi Germany and the absolute crushing of Imperial Japan in 1945, American Forces haven't won a decisive military victory of any consequence anywhere in the world.

Incidents such as this characterize their actions and lead to deadly quagmires that more often than not result in ignominious defeats in the end.

Those friendly Houthis 🤗

1 hour ago, josephbloggs said:

Let's imagine something that didn't happen and then dream up how people would react to the thing that didn't happen because that is very relevant and important.

 

 

   It was reference to a previous occurrence that happened about 70 years go that some people NEVER stop going on about .

   "They deliberately did it" , would have been the claim 

8 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   It was reference to a previous occurrence that happened about 70 years go that some people NEVER stop going on about .

   "They deliberately did it" , would have been the claim 

So off topic by seven decades,

 

 

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

So off topic by seven decades,

 

 

 

They both involve the downing of USA airplanes in the Middle East by friendly fire  , so you will have to have a discussion with your superiors  about whether its off topic or not 

2 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

They both involve the downing of USA airplanes in the Middle East by friendly fire  , so you will have to have a discussion with your superiors  about whether its off topic or not 

Superiors?

 

 

2 hours ago, The Old Bull said:

I for one supported the Houthis in their fight against the Saudis but since they have started attacking  shipping in the Red Sea I no longer support them I wonder how many people feel the same way?

I do. I tend to support fighting against Salafism, as it has been a terrorists' nest for decades. Not the Houti any more.

2 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Superiors?

 

   The ones that make the decisions , your superiors 

I wonder if Steve Urkel was the one firing the gun that brought the plane down followed by his signature line, "Did I do that?"

3 hours ago, DaddyWarbucks said:

Since the Allied defeat of Nazi Germany and the absolute crushing of Imperial Japan in 1945, American Forces haven't won a decisive military victory of any consequence anywhere in the world.

Incidents such as this characterize their actions and lead to deadly quagmires that more often than not result in ignominious defeats in the end.

Tell that to the million vietnamese who lost their lives in the 70s

6 hours ago, WDSmart said:

The full quote is from Shakespeare, "Cry havoc! And release the dogs of war." What the phrase "dogs of war" does is it "...captures the idea of war as a force that, once unleashed, is very difficult to control from either side."

Dogs of War – Origin and Meaning

Pretty sure that's not the original quote. In fact, even the link you post, gives the correct wording, which is, "Cry 'Havoc!', and let slip the dogs of war."

The Yanks are  famous for being world leaders in ''Friendly Fire ''   incidents ....

10 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Exactly, would have been a UN resolution drafted straight away.

 

As it turns out the terrorist Houthis tried to claim credit for the shooting down first before the US revealed the real cause. Always trust the scum who side with Hamas to lie.

Because the terrorist USA never lies aye!

2 hours ago, frank83628 said:

Because the terrorist USA never lies aye!

Which country has designated the US as terrorists or is that your wishful thinking? 

 

Why would the US lie about shooting down one of their own planes worth around $66m and injure one of the pilots in the process?

16 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Which country has designated the US as terrorists or is that your wishful thinking? 

 

Why would the US lie about shooting down one of their own planes worth around $66m and injure one of the pilots in the process?

To save embarrassment of being shot down by the houties