Two US Navy pilots were shot down on Sunday in a shocking “friendly fire” incident over the Red Sea, the US Military confirmed.
Both pilots, flying an F/A-18 Superhornet, ejected safely and were recovered alive after their aircraft was mistakenly targeted by a missile fired from a ship within their own battle group.
The missile, launched from the USS Gettysburg, struck the Superhornet shortly after it had taken off from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier. Both vessels are part of the same carrier strike group, which operates under the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group.
Incident Raises Questions
Central Command (Centcom) acknowledged the incident but did not provide an explanation for how the friendly fire occurred. Radar and radio communication systems typically link ships within the same battle group, adding to the confusion over how such an error could happen.
The Associated Press reported that the carrier group has been targeting Houthi rebels in the region, actively engaging drones and anti-ship cruise missiles launched by the rebels.
US Actions in the Red Sea
The USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group entered the Red Sea on December 15 after being deployed to the Mediterranean in November. The region has seen heightened tensions, with the Houthis attacking approximately 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023.
Over the weekend, the US conducted airstrikes near Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, roughly 140 miles from the Red Sea coast. These operations were aimed at curbing the Houthi rebel threat.
Investigation Underway
The incident has prompted an investigation into the breakdown of coordination within the strike group. Military officials are working to determine how the error occurred and to prevent future friendly fire mishaps.
The mishap underscores the challenges of operating in a high-stakes conflict zone where multiple threats demand constant vigilance and precise coordination.
