In brief
An F/A-18 Super Hornet, valued at approximately $67 million, sank while being towed on the aircraft carrier during military operations in the Red Sea.
The U.S. Navy reported that an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet was lost in the Red Sea after the aircraft slipped off the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman on Monday. The incident occurred when crew members lost control of the plane while it was being towed in the hangar bay of the carrier. Fortunately, one sailor sustained only minor injuries. The Navy confirmed an investigation into the event is currently underway.The Truman, actively engaged in military actions against Houthi rebels in Yemen, was maneuvering to better defend against potential missile and drone threats when the incident happened. Three Defense Department officials stated that while the hard turn of the carrier was a factor contributing to the loss of the jet, it was not the sole reason for the mishap. In light of these developments, a spokesman for the Houthi militia claimed they had launched attacks on the carrier that could have played a role in the unfolding situation.Despite the loss, the Navy assured that the Truman and its strike group remained operationally ready. This incident is not the first setback the carrier has faced during its Middle East deployment. Earlier, in February, it collided with a merchant vessel near Port Said, Egypt, leading to damage and subsequent disciplinary actions within the Navy. In a different incident last December, an F/A-18 from the carrier was shot down by the guided-missile cruiser Gettysburg, although both pilots were safely recovered.This latest mishap highlights ongoing tensions in the Red Sea, where the Houthis have conducted aggressive operations against both military and commercial vessels amidst geopolitical strife in the region.
