The United States Navy has suffered a significant loss with a $60 million Super Hornet fighter jet plunging into the Red Sea.
The incident unfolded as the F/A-18E was being towed within the hangar bay, only for the crew to lose control, resulting in both the aircraft and tow tractor being cast overboard. "The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft," the Navy confirmed in a press release. "The aircraft and tow tractor were lost overboard."
According to American Military News, Navy personnel acted swiftly to distance themselves from the jet as it tumbled from the deck of the USS Harry S. Truman, stationed off Bahrain's coast. A U.S. official, speaking to Task & Purpose, suggested the mishap occurred during a sharp maneuver by the aircraft carrier, which was under assault from Houthi militants. CNN has reported the aircraft's value at approximately $60 million, noting that it sank into the sea.
This incident is not isolated, as another F/A-18F Super Hornet was lost in December when the USS Gettysburg mistakenly shot it down. Fortunately, the two airmen aboard managed to escape unharmed. The Red Sea has been a hotspot for U.S. encounters with Houthi fighters targeting commercial vessels since 2023.
Under President Trump's administration, U.S.-led airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen commenced in January 2024, marking an escalation in military efforts. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by U.S. forces in the region, as they navigate both operational hazards and hostile engagements.
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