American military mistakenly shoots down one of its fighter planes | american news

A US fighter jet has been shot down after it was mistakenly hit by a US missile cruiser over the Red Sea.

Both pilots in the plane ejected and were rescued – one of them had minor injuries.

An investigation is underway after what the US military described as an “apparent case of friendly fire”.

It is believed to be the most serious incident to threaten US troops in more than a year America targeted Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

US Central Command said the F/A-18 Hornet was shot down shortly after it had come down from the deck of the USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier.

The two-seat aircraft was then hit by one of the carrier’s escort ships, the USS Gettysburg.

It was not immediately clear how the Gettysburg could mistake an F/A-18 for an enemy aircraft or missile, especially since ships in a battle group are linked by both radar and radio communications.

However, the Central Command said warships and aircraft have previously shot down several Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile launched by the rebels.

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The Houthis have attacked around 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones in solidarity with Gaza since Israel-Hamas war started in October 2023.

The Hornet incident shows how dangerous the Red Sea corridor has become over the ongoing attacks on shipping by the Houthis despite US and European allies patrolling the area.

Over the weekend, US warplanes carried out airstrikes that shook the capital, Sanaa, which the Houthis have held since 2014.

Central Command described the attacks as targeting a “missile storage facility” and a “command-and-control facility,” but did not elaborate.

The downed fighter is believed to be an F/A-18 Super Hornet assigned to the Red Rippers of Strike Fighter Squadron 11 stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.