USS Gettysburg Shoots Down F/A-18 Fighter From USS Truman
On a tense Sunday morning, a U.S. Navy cruiser mistakenly shot down a U.S. Navy fighter jet over the Red Sea. This incident forced both pilots to eject from their aircraft. The friendly-fire event occurred amid a barrage of missile attacks and UAV strikes launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, as reported by U.S. Central Command. The situation underscores the complexities and dangers faced by military personnel operating in high-stress environments.
Details of the Incident
Early Sunday, an F/A-18 Super Hornet took off from the USS Harry S. Truman, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier stationed in the Red Sea. Shortly after its launch, the crew aboard the USS Gettysburg, a Ticonderoga-class cruiser, misidentified the F/A-18 as a potential threat. In a split-second decision, they fired upon the fighter jet, resulting in its destruction. Fortunately, both pilots were able to eject safely. One pilot sustained minor injuries but was otherwise unharmed.
This incident unfolded during a period of heightened military activity off the coast of Yemen. Just the day before, U.S. Central Command had executed airstrikes targeting Houthi missile storage facilities and command-and-control centers in Sana’a, Yemen. During these operations, U.S. forces successfully intercepted multiple incoming Houthi suicide drones and an anti-ship cruise missile over the Red Sea. Both U.S. Air Force and Navy aircraft participated in these critical missions, highlighting the intense operational tempo in the region.
Challenges in the Red Sea
The friendly-fire incident illustrates the challenging threat environment in the Red Sea. U.S. Navy surface combatants operate in tight confines, where they have mere seconds to identify potential threats accurately. The pressure on air defense personnel is immense, as a miscalculation can lead to catastrophic consequences. This is not the first time that allied forces in the Red Sea have faced such challenges. In February 2024, a German Navy frigate, the Hesse, nearly shot down a U.S. drone due to a failure to identify it correctly. The crew mistakenly perceived the drone as a threat, and two missiles were launched but missed due to a technical error. The incident was only clarified later when it was confirmed that the drone posed no danger.
The USS Gettysburg, involved in the recent incident, is a Ticonderoga-class cruiser that has been in service since 1991. It features a Cold War-era AN/SPY-1 multifunction air defense radar, which underwent upgrades during a lengthy modernization period. The cruiser is notable for being the only one to complete and deploy following the Navy’s controversial service life extension program for Ticonderoga-class vessels. The recent friendly-fire incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and risks inherent in modern military operations, particularly in volatile regions like the Red Sea.
