Navy Fighter Jet Crashes Into Red Sea Amid Rising Tensions with Houthi Militants
In a troubling series of events, a United States Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet from the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman was lost in the Red Sea on Tuesday, marking the second incident involving the carrier in less than two weeks. The jet, valued at approximately $67 million, went overboard while attempting to land on the flight deck due to a failure in its arrestment system. Fortunately, both pilots ejected, sustaining minor injuries, and were promptly rescued by helicopter.
This accident follows another notable mishap on March 7, when another F/A-18 and a tow tractor fell off the Truman after the crew lost control during maneuvers aimed at better positioning the carrier against Houthi missile threats. For over a year, Houthi forces have targeted commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea, framing their actions as support for Gaza and Hamas.
On the same day as the fighter jet incident, the United States and the Houthis reached an agreement to halt American airstrikes in exchange for a ceasefire on attacks against American vessels. President Trump emphasized trust in the Houthis’ commitment to stop these assaults, stating, "They say they will not be blowing up ships anymore."
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that the lost aircraft was not shot down by Houthi forces. He added that the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group remains fully operational and that an investigation into the jet’s loss is underway. Since its deployment in September, the Truman has faced several incidents, including a collision with a merchant ship in February and a friendly fire incident that downed a plane in December. The ongoing challenges highlight the complex operational environment U.S. forces face in the region.
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