'Friendly fire': US shoots down two of its own F/A-18 fighter jets during ops against Houthis

Two US Navy pilots were shot down over the Red Sea early Sunday (December 22) in what the military described as “an apparent case of friendly fire.”

Both pilots were rescued alive, but one sustained minor injuries, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.

“This incident was not the result of hostile fire, and a full investigation is underway,” CENTCOM said in a statement late Saturday (December 21) local time.

The mishap occurred when the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg mistakenly fired on and struck an F/A-18 fighter jet flown by the Navy pilots from the USS Harry S. Truman.

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The incident occurred while US carried out its operations against Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Washington has been actively engaged against the Houthis, particularly in response to their attacks on international shipping routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The Houthis, who have expressed solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas since October 7, 2023, have intensified their activities in the region.

Their actions have caused significant disruptions in one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes. Shipping firms have been compelled to reroute vessels around the southern tip of Africa, incurring additional costs and delays.

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On Saturday, the US conducted airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen’s rebel-held capital, Sanaa, including a missile storage center and a command-and-control facility.

CENTCOM Conducts Airstrikes Against Iran-Backed Houthi Missile Storage and Command/Control Facilities in Yemen

TAMPA, Fla. - U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted precision airstrikes against a missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility operated by… pic.twitter.com/YRWWQJIweP

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 21, 2024

The US also reported intercepting multiple Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile over the Red Sea.

Further details on the friendly fire incident are expected as the investigation continues.

With inputs from agencies