Official announcements from the U.S. Department of Defense or U.S. Central Command

U.S. Navy F/A-18F Shot Down by USS Gettysburg in Friendly Fire Incident Over Red Sea; Both Pilots Ejected Safely

Dec 22, 2024, 02:23 PM

On December 22, 2024, a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet, which had just launched from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, was accidentally shot down over the Red Sea by the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg in what has been described as a case of friendly fire. Both pilots ejected safely, with one sustaining minor injuries. The incident occurred amid ongoing military operations against Houthi forces in Yemen, who claimed responsibility for targeting the USS Harry S. Truman and its accompanying destroyers using eight cruise missiles and 17 drones. The U.S. Central Command confirmed the friendly fire incident, stating that an investigation is underway. The Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson asserted that the downing of the F-18 was part of their defense against a U.S.-UK attack, although U.S. officials indicated that the aircraft was lost due to a misfire from the USS Gettysburg.