U.S. Navy Fighter Jet Plunges into Red Sea Following Incident on Aircraft Carrier

In a concerning mishap on Monday, an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet, valued at approximately $67 million, sank in the Red Sea after the crew lost control while attempting to tow the aircraft in the hangar bay of the U.S.S. Harry S. Truman. The Navy reported that one sailor suffered minor injuries during the incident, which is currently under investigation. The aircraft carrier was actively engaged in operations against Houthi militants in Yemen when the mishap occurred.Three Defense Department officials indicated that the carrier was making a sharp turn to improve its defensive position against potential Houthi missile and drone attacks at the time of the incident. While the maneuver likely contributed to the accident, it was not considered the sole cause. In response to the event, sailors on board acted quickly to vacate the area before the aircraft went overboard.Amid ongoing tensions in the region, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that the group had directed missile and drone strikes at the Truman as part of ongoing hostilities aimed at provoking a response in solidarity with Gaza. The U.S. military recently initiated an air campaign against the Houthis, dubbed Operation Rough Rider, which began on March 15 under President Trump following a series of airstrikes commenced under the Biden administration.In the context of the air campaign, American forces have targeted over 800 locations in Yemen, focusing on strategic facilities, command sites, and weapons manufacturing capabilities linked to the Houthis. Despite the aircraft loss, the Navy maintained that the Truman and its accompanying strike group remained “fully mission capable.”This incident is not an isolated case for the Truman's deployment in the Middle East. Earlier, in February, the aircraft carrier collided with a merchant vessel near Port Said, Egypt, resulting in damage to both ships and the subsequent firing of the strike group's commander. In another notable event in December, an F/A-18 from the Truman was mistakenly shot down by the guided-missile cruiser Gettysburg, although both pilots were rescued without injury.Claire Moses and Eric Schmitt, experienced reporters with a focus on military and breaking news, contributed to this report, shedding light on a critical incident in ongoing naval operations.