US jet shot down in Red Sea by allied missile cruiser

A US Navy F/A-18 Hornet was accidentally shot down by friendly fire over the Red Sea on Sunday, the US military confirmed. Both crew members ejected safely, though one sustained minor injuries.

The fighter jet, part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, was mistakenly targeted by the USS Gettysburg, a guided missile cruiser. The incident, described as a “friendly fire” event by US Central Command (CENTCOM), is under investigation.

The F/A-18, from the Navy’s Strike Fighter Squadron 11, the “Red Rippers,” had recently conducted operations against Houthi targets in Yemen. This occurred amid heightened military activity in the region, as the US seeks to counter Houthi attacks on international shipping and Navy vessels in the Southern Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

The US military has intercepted multiple Houthi drones and missiles in the area. Since October 2023, Houthi forces—aligned with Iran—have targeted over 100 vessels, claiming to focus on ships linked to Israel, the US, or the UK, though many unrelated vessels have been hit.

In response to these threats, the US, UK, and 12 other nations initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian in December 2023 to secure critical maritime routes.