According to an announcement from the Pentagon, the US Navy has just recorded a rare incident when its F/A-18 fighter jet was shot down by the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg in a "misfire" in the Red Sea.
The incident occurred as the US and UK were conducting new airstrikes against suspected Houthi missile sites and command centers in Yemen. The F/A-18 took off from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and was mistakenly shot down by the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg shortly after takeoff.
The two pilots on board the fighter jet ejected and were rescued safely, but one suffered minor injuries. The Pentagon confirmed the incident and said an investigation was underway to determine the cause.
According to a statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM), in the same operation, US forces destroyed several Houthi attack drones and anti-ship cruise missiles in the Red Sea. However, this accidental shooting has made the image of the operation to protect commercial traffic in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden - called "Operation Prosperity Guardian" - less smooth.
This is the first time a US manned aircraft has been lost in the 14-month campaign, following a series of drone destructions and tense confrontations with the Houthis. The incident has not only caused a stir in public opinion but also raised many questions about the ability to coordinate and identify targets in complex military missions.
