In a dramatic incident underscoring the escalating tensions in the Red Sea, a U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet was lost overboard from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier while executing evasive maneuvers to avoid incoming Houthi missile fire. The mishap, which occurred on April 28, resulted in the jet and its towing vehicle plunging into the sea, with one sailor sustaining injuries.
The incident unfolded as the carrier performed a sharp zigzag maneuver, a standard evasive action designed to thwart missile targeting. During this maneuver, the jet, which was being towed on the hangar deck, broke free and fell into the sea along with the tow tractor. Fortunately, the crew members involved escaped safely.
This event marks the third significant mishap for the USS Harry S. Truman strike group during its extended deployment in the Middle East. Previous incidents include a collision with a merchant ship near Egypt in February and the accidental downing of another F/A-18F Super Hornet by the USS Gettysburg in December.
The USS Harry S. Truman has been at the forefront of Operation Rough Rider, a sustained U.S. military campaign aimed at countering the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Since the operation’s inception on March 15, U.S. forces have conducted over 1,000 airstrikes targeting Houthi infrastructure, including missile launch sites and drone facilities. Despite these efforts, the Houthis have continued to pose a significant threat to maritime traffic in the region.
The loss of the $60 million fighter jet adds to the mounting costs of the campaign, which has also seen the downing of over a dozen U.S. MQ-9 surveillance drones, each valued at more than $20 million. These incidents highlight the operational challenges and risks faced by U.S. forces operating in the volatile region.
In response to the ongoing threat, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has extended the deployment of the USS Harry S. Truman and the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carriers in the Middle East. This decision underscores the U.S. commitment to maintaining a robust naval presence to safeguard international shipping lanes and counter Houthi aggression.
As the situation continues to evolve, the U.S. Navy is conducting a thorough investigation into the recent mishap to identify any procedural lapses and implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The extended deployments and operational tempo also raise concerns about the long-term sustainability of such missions and the well-being of the personnel involved.
