US downs its own aircraft during air strikes on Yemen
The US Navy accidentally downed one of its own F/A-18 fighter jets in a friendly fire incident in the Red Sea. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg shot down a US Navy F/A-18 fighter jet in an incident of friendly fire over the Red Sea, as confirmed by the Pentagon shortly after a press release regarding another successful bombing operation targeting alleged Houthi positions in Yemen.
US Central Command verified that the F/A-18 was downed after taking off from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier. Fortunately, both Navy pilots managed to eject from the aircraft and were safely rescued, though one sustained minor injuries.
This event unfolded as American and British aircraft were carrying out new bombing raids aimed at missile storage sites and command facilities in Sanaa to disrupt Houthi operations, according to a CENTCOM press release issued earlier on Saturday night.
“During the operation, CENTCOM forces also shot down multiple Houthi one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles and an anti-ship cruise missile over the Red Sea,” the US military reported.
“The operation involved US Air Force and US Navy assets, including F/A-18s,” it added.
A few hours later, the US military acknowledged that the USS Gettysburg “mistakenly fired on” the F/A-18, yet did not clarify which weapon was responsible for downing the jet. An investigation is currently underway to ascertain the details surrounding this incident. The commander of the cruiser also holds the role of air defense commander for the strike group, tasked with identifying and neutralizing potential threats.
For the past 14 months, American and allied forces have been executing Operation Prosperity Guardian, aimed at safeguarding merchant shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden from Houthi threats. While the group has reported the downing of several MQ-9 Reapers, the loss of the F/A-18 due to friendly fire represents the first time a crewed American aircraft has been lost during this mission.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
US Central Command verified that the F/A-18 was downed after taking off from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier. Fortunately, both Navy pilots managed to eject from the aircraft and were safely rescued, though one sustained minor injuries.
This event unfolded as American and British aircraft were carrying out new bombing raids aimed at missile storage sites and command facilities in Sanaa to disrupt Houthi operations, according to a CENTCOM press release issued earlier on Saturday night.
“During the operation, CENTCOM forces also shot down multiple Houthi one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles and an anti-ship cruise missile over the Red Sea,” the US military reported.
“The operation involved US Air Force and US Navy assets, including F/A-18s,” it added.
A few hours later, the US military acknowledged that the USS Gettysburg “mistakenly fired on” the F/A-18, yet did not clarify which weapon was responsible for downing the jet. An investigation is currently underway to ascertain the details surrounding this incident. The commander of the cruiser also holds the role of air defense commander for the strike group, tasked with identifying and neutralizing potential threats.
For the past 14 months, American and allied forces have been executing Operation Prosperity Guardian, aimed at safeguarding merchant shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden from Houthi threats. While the group has reported the downing of several MQ-9 Reapers, the loss of the F/A-18 due to friendly fire represents the first time a crewed American aircraft has been lost during this mission.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
