U.S. Military Confirms Friendly Fire Incident Over Red Sea
In a rare case of friendly fire, the U.S. military mistakenly shot down one of its own fighter jets over the Red Sea early Sunday. Both pilots managed to eject safely before being rescued, with one sustaining minor injuries, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
F/A-18 Hornet Downed by Missile Cruiser
The aircraft, an F/A-18 Hornet, had taken off from the USS Harry S. Truman when it was accidentally struck by a missile fired from its escort ship, the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg.
“The incident is under investigation,” CENTCOM stated, acknowledging the apparent case of friendly fire.
Escalating Military Activity in the Red Sea
The Red Sea has been a high-conflict zone for more than a year, with U.S. forces engaged in operations against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Just a day before the incident, the U.S. military:
- Engaged Houthi drones and missiles over the Red Sea.
- Carried out strikes on command centers and missile storage sites in Sanaa, Yemen.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the misfire remains unclear, and military officials are conducting a full review of the incident. This friendly fire event raises concerns about operational risks as U.S. forces continue defensive operations in the region.
As tensions escalate in the Middle East, the incident underscores the high-stakes environment in which U.S. military forces are operating.
Source: USA Today
