In a second serious incident within two weeks, a United States Navy fighter jet from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman was lost overboard in the Red Sea while attempting to land on Tuesday. According to the United States Central Command, the mishap occurred when the aircraft’s arrestment system failed, leading to the F/A-18 Super Hornet jet, valued at approximately $67 million, falling into the sea. Fortunately, both pilots ejected safely, sustaining only minor injuries, and were subsequently rescued by helicopter with no additional injuries reported among the crew.
This accident follows a previous incident involving another F/A-18 Super Hornet, which, along with a tow tractor, fell off the Truman’s deck due to loss of control as the carrier repositioned itself to counter threats from Houthi forces. The Houthi militia has been active in the Red Sea, launching drone and missile attacks against both military and commercial vessels under the pretext of supporting residents in Gaza.
On the same day of the jet incident, a betwee the U.S. and Houthi representatives resulted in a cessation of American airstrikes on the group, following their agreement to halt assaults on American ships in the region. "They have capitulated, but more importantly, we will take their word,” stated President Trump regarding the arrangement aimed at stabilizing the area. This follows Trump's earlier directive for U.S. military operations against the Houthis, which has thus far cost over $1 billion and targeted more than 800 sites within Yemen.
The USS Harry S. Truman has seen a series of severe incidents since its deployment in September. Earlier this year, the carrier collided with a commercial vessel in Egypt's waters, causing damage to both ships, and in December, an F/A-18 was accidentally shot down by the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, with both pilots successfully rescued from that situation as well.
