The United States (U.S.) military announced that it accidentally shot down one of its own fighter jets over the Red Sea yesterday, with both pilots ejecting from the aircraft.
A statement from U.S. Central Command noted that both pilots were rescued, with one sustaining minor injuries, in what appears to be a case of “friendly fire.”
“An investigation into the circumstances of the incident is underway,” the statement said.
The aircraft involved was an “F/A-18 Hornet” operating from the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman.
“Fire was mistakenly opened on the aircraft from one of the carrier’s accompanying ships, the missile cruiser Gettysburg,” the statement explained.
The Red Sea has been a hotspot for military activity for over a year, as U.S. forces combat the Iranian-backed Houthi militia in Yemen, which has been launching attacks on vessels in the region.
Photo: illustration
