Credited from: THEHILL
The U.S. Navy lost another F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier on Tuesday, marking the second such incident in just over a week. The aircraft fell into the Red Sea during a night landing attempt when the arresting system, responsible for halting jets safely, failed, causing the aircraft to go overboard. Fortunately, both aviators ejected safely and were rescued with minor injuries reported, according to CBS News and New York Times.
This incident follows closely behind another crash on April 28, when another F/A-18 was lost while being towed within the Truman's hangar bay, underscoring operational difficulties faced by the carrier group. In that earlier mishap, the crew lost control, leading to the jet and a tow tractor falling overboard, with one sailor sustaining minor injuries, reports NBC News and Anadolu Agency.
The U.S. Navy has been engaged in military operations against Yemen's Houthi militants during this period, with the Truman's presence in the Red Sea increasingly scrutinized. Notably, the carrier also faced a friendly fire incident last December when another F/A-18 was mistakenly shot down by the USS Gettysburg, leading to significant operational concerns, highlighted in reports from Business Insider and South China Morning Post.
Amidst these incidents, the U.S. has recently agreed to halt airstrikes against the Houthis, as indicated by President Trump's announcement regarding a ceasefire, although skepticism remains about the militants adhering to this agreement. The complexity of the situation continues to evolve, with various aircraft losses raising critical operational questions within the Navy, as noted by The Hill and BBC.