U.S. Navy Friendly Fire Incident in Red Sea
USS Gettysburg Shoots Down a Fighter From Carrier USS Truman
On Sunday morning, a serious incident occurred in the Red Sea involving the U.S. Navy. A U.S. Navy cruiser mistakenly shot down a U.S. Navy fighter jet. This friendly-fire incident forced the two pilots to eject from their aircraft. The event unfolded amid heightened tensions due to missile attacks launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. U.S. Central Command confirmed the details of the incident, highlighting the complexities of military operations in the region.
Details of the Incident
The incident took place early Sunday morning when an F/A-18 Super Hornet took off from the USS Harry S. Truman, an aircraft carrier operating in the Red Sea. Shortly after the fighter jet launched, the crew aboard the USS Gettysburg, a cruiser in the carrier strike group, misidentified the F/A-18 as a potential threat. In a split-second decision, they fired upon the jet, resulting in its destruction. Fortunately, both pilots managed to eject safely and were later rescued. One pilot sustained minor injuries, but both are expected to recover fully.
This incident occurred during a period of intense military activity off the coast of Yemen. Just a day prior, U.S. Central Command had conducted airstrikes targeting Houthi missile storage and command facilities 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, underscoring the high-stakes environment in which they operate.
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Challenges of Air Defense in the Red Sea
The friendly-fire incident underscores the significant challenges faced by air defense personnel in the Red Sea. The region is known for its tight confines, where U.S. Navy surface combatants must make rapid decisions regarding potential threats. In many cases, air defense teams have only seconds to identify incoming missiles and launch interceptors. The risks of miscalculation are alarmingly high, as demonstrated by this recent incident.
This is not the first time that friendly fire has occurred in this volatile area. In February 2024, a similar situation arose when the German Navy frigate Hesse nearly shot down a U.S. drone. The crew misidentified the drone as a threat, leading to the launch of two missiles that ultimately missed their target. The situation was resolved only after it became clear that the drone was not hostile. Such incidents highlight the complexities and dangers of military operations in the region, where the line between friend and foe can blur in an instant.
The USS Gettysburg, involved in this 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 has undergone upgrades during a lengthy modernization period. This cruiser is notable for being the only one to complete repairs and deploy following the Navy’s controversial service life extension program for Ticonderoga-class vessels. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical need for accurate identification and communication in military operations, especially in high-pressure environments like the Red Sea.
