A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter aircraft, valued at
approximately $60 million, was lost at sea following an incident aboard the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the Red Sea. The incident occurred as the vessel was forced to execute emergency maneuvers to avoid incoming fire from Yemen’s Houthi forces.
According to Navy officials, the fighter jet was being towed in the carrier’s hangar bay when personnel lost control of the aircraft during the evasive action. The sudden movement of the carrier caused both the aircraft and the tow tractor to slide overboard.
Quick-thinking crew members managed to clear the area before the jet went over the side, though one sailor sustained minor injuries during the incident.
The mishap coincided with claims from Houthi rebels that they had launched a coordinated drone and missile assault targeting the aircraft carrier. The Truman has been operating in the Red Sea as part of ongoing U.S. military operations against Houthi forces, which began on March 15.
This marks the second F-18 loss connected to operations in the region since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict. In December, another F/A-18 from the USS Truman was accidentally shot down by the USS Gettysburg in the Red Sea, though both pilots successfully ejected from that aircraft.
The USS Truman has faced multiple challenges during its deployment. In February, the carrier was involved in a collision with a merchant vessel near Egypt, though no injuries were reported in that incident. The vessel has also been the repeated target of Houthi attacks throughout its mission in the region.
Military officials have confirmed that an investigation into the latest incident is currently underway. The Navy emphasized that despite the loss of the aircraft, the carrier strike group and its air wing remain fully operational and capable of executing their assigned missions.
The incident raises questions about potential unreported damage to U.S. naval assets in the region, given the frequency of Houthi attacks and the challenging operational environment. The ongoing conflict with the Houthis, which has not received formal Congressional approval, continues to present significant risks to U.S. naval forces operating in the area.
The loss of the aircraft represents a significant financial cost to the Navy, with the F/A-18 Super Hornet’s price tag exceeding $60 million. The jet is now resting at the bottom of the Red Sea, adding to the mounting operational costs of the U.S. military’s involvement in the region.
Despite these setbacks, the U.S. Navy has reported no fatalities among its personnel during these incidents, though the string of accidents and near-misses highlights the increasing dangers faced by American forces in the Red Sea. The combination of hostile action and complex naval operations continues to create challenging conditions for U.S. military assets in the region.
The incident demonstrates the real-world consequences of operating sophisticated military equipment in contested waters, particularly when facing active threats from hostile forces. As tensions persist in the region, the safety of naval personnel and the security of valuable military assets remain paramount concerns for military planners and commanders.
Military analysts suggest that such incidents may become more frequent as long as U.S. forces continue to operate in the confined waters of the Red Sea while facing ongoing threats from Houthi forces. The need to conduct evasive maneuvers while maintaining normal carrier operations presents a constant challenge for ship crews and aviation personnel.