Two US Navy Pilots Downed in Red Sea Amidst Alarming ‘Friendly Fire’ Misfire, Reports US Military

Two U.S. Navy pilots were rescued alive after their F/A-18 was shot down over the Red Sea on Sunday in an incident labeled as “friendly fire” by the U.S. military. One pilot sustained minor injuries during the ejection. This incident highlights the heightened risks faced by military personnel amid ongoing operations against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, especially as attacks on maritime activities continue in the region.

At the time of the incident, U.S. forces were conducting airstrikes aimed at Houthi targets, though Central Command did not provide details regarding the specific mission of the pilots involved. The downed aircraft had just launched from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, which recently entered the Red Sea without previously disclosing its specific location.

Central Command confirmed that the USS Gettysburg, a guided-missile cruiser in the Truman’s strike group, erroneously fired upon the F/A-18. The aircraft is part of the “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron 11, stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The circumstances of how such a misidentification occurred remain unclear, considering the advanced communication systems used among vessels in a battle group.

Despite this mishap, U.S. forces have recently intensified airstrikes targeting Houthi installations, following the Truman’s arrival in the area. Previous incidents reveal that increasing American military presence may provoke retaliatory attacks from the rebels, reminiscent of the aggressive encounters experienced during the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower’s deployment earlier this year.

Recent airstrikes on Saturday and early Sunday shook Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, with Central Command indicating the strikes were aimed at missile and command facilities. However, reported details remain vague, with Houthi-controlled media transmitting conflicting accounts of the strikes’ impact.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi spokesperson, claimed that the rebels launched multiple drones and missiles in retaliation, asserting they had shot down the F/A-18. These declarations often lack substantiation and have historically included exaggerations regarding successful attacks on U.S. forces.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in the Houthis targeting nearly 100 commercial vessels since the commencement of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. Their offensive has included missile strikes and drone attacks that have led to serious incidents at sea, claiming lives and sinking vessels. The rebels assert they aim to disrupt ships associated with the U.S. and its allies to influence military actions related to the conflict in Gaza.

On the diplomatic front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel would respond decisively to Houthi aggressions, emphasizing collaborative strategies in countering Iranian allies in the region.