The US Navy has lost another F/A-18 Super Hornet in the Red Sea, marking the second such incident in just over a week and the third since Washington ramped up military operations against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, reports RT.
The fighter jet, deployed from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, reportedly plunged into the sea following an arrestment failure while attempting to land on the ship. Both the pilot and weapons systems officer ejected safely and were swiftly rescued by a helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 11, according to unnamed defense officials cited by CNN and USNI News. The aviators sustained minor injuries, and no flight deck personnel were harmed.
The mishap occurred on the same day the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels allegedly attempted an attack on the Truman, although officials have not confirmed a direct link between the strike attempt and the jet’s crash. An investigation into the incident is currently underway, and the US Navy has yet to release an official statement.
This marks the third F/A-18 lost in the region under similar circumstances. Just last week, another Super Hornet reportedly fell overboard during evasive maneuvers to dodge Houthi missile fire. In December, an F/A-18 was accidentally shot down by the USS Gettysburg, a guided-missile cruiser in the Truman’s carrier strike group, during operations over Yemen.
Each F/A-18 Super Hornet is estimated to cost $60 million to $70 million, according to the Pentagon. The Houthis also claim to have shot down more than a dozen MQ-9 Reaper drones—each valued at about $30 million—since the beginning of the conflict.
The incidents underscore the high-stakes military environment in the Red Sea, where the US and UK have been conducting regular airstrikes on Houthi positions. These strikes began after the group started targeting international shipping in late 2023, asserting solidarity with Palestinians during Israel's military campaign in Gaza.
In a sudden shift, US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Washington would "immediately halt" its bombing campaign. He declared the Houthis had “capitulated” and no longer posed a threat. Shortly after, Oman confirmed that it had successfully brokered a ceasefire agreement between the US and the Houthis, with both sides agreeing to halt attacks in the Red Sea.
While the ceasefire offers a potential de-escalation in the volatile region, the recent jet losses highlight the persistent risks faced by US forces operating in contested maritime zones.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
