US Navy Fighter Jet Shot Down in Friendly Fire Incident Over Red Sea

The USS Gettysburg mistakenly fired on an F/A-18 Super Hornet during operations against Houthi rebels, with both crew members safely rescued.

The USS Gettysburg, a guided-missile cruiser, accidentally shot down a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet early Sunday over the Red Sea during air defense operations.
Both aviators ejected safely and were rescued, though one sustained minor injuries, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).
The incident occurred during heightened US military activity targeting Iranian-backed Houthi militants, including strikes on missile storage and command facilities in Yemen.
CENTCOM confirmed the downing was not caused by hostile fire and announced a full investigation to determine the cause of the friendly fire mistake.
Criticism of military readiness and leadership has emerged, with some commentators linking the incident to broader concerns about operational priorities and policies.