US Military Reports Friendly Fire Incident: Two Navy Pilots Shot Down Over Red Sea
U.S. Central Command stated that both pilots were rescued, with one sustaining minor injuries, following an “apparent case of friendly fire.”
Two pilots from the U.S. Navy and an F-18 fighter jet were downed over the Red Sea, which lies between North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, in what officials have described as a friendly fire incident.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that both pilots were rescued, with one experiencing minor injuries after the “apparent case of friendly fire.” The authorities are investigating the incident but have not disclosed further details.
CENTCOM stated, “The guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and struck the F/A-18.”
According to the U.S. military’s account, the downed aircraft was a two-seat F/A-18 Super Hornet jet, assigned to the “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron 11, based at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia.
CENTCOM announced on December 21 that these airstrikes aimed to “disrupt and degrade” Houthi operations, which have included drone and missile attacks on U.S. Navy vessels and commercial ships in the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and other regions in recent months.
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The U.S. military has also intercepted several “one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles” operated by the Houthis, as well as anti-ship cruise missiles in the Red Sea. These operations were executed by F/A-18 fighter jets and other naval assets, according to the statement.
It remains uncertain if the airstrikes against Houthi positions over the weekend were linked to the downing of the two pilots. The Epoch Times has reached out to U.S. Central Command for further comments.
He stated that operations by the U.S.S. Harry S. Truman strike group “resulted in the failure of an American-British attack on our country and the downing of an F-18 plane.” U.S. officials have yet to publicly address his assertions.
In recent months, military activity has surged in the Red Sea as the Houthis, categorized as a terrorist group supported by Iran by the U.S. State Department, have intensified attacks on shipping in the region. Their operations have escalated since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The Houthis have captured one vessel and sunk two during their campaign, resulting in four sailor fatalities. Additionally, other missiles and drones have been intercepted in the Red Sea by various U.S. and European-led coalitions or have failed to hit their targets, which have included Western military vessels.
The group claims that their operations are aimed at disrupting shipping routes to Israel and are intended to thwart Israel’s campaign in Gaza, initiated in October 2023 following Hamas’s coordinated attack that resulted in over 1,200 civilian deaths and around 250 hostages.
In retaliation, Israel has conducted airstrikes against Houthi missile and drone attacks.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning to the Houthis on Sunday, indicating that military actions would follow due to their connection to Iran.
“Just as we have responded decisively against Iran’s terror affiliates, we will take action against the Houthis,” he remarked in a video statement. “The United States and other nations see the Houthis as a threat not only to international shipping but to the global order as well.”
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
