Two U.S. Navy Pilots Survive Red Sea 'Friendly Fire' Incident

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – In a rare and alarming case of “friendly fire,” two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down over the Red Sea on Sunday, according to the U.S. military. The incident occurred amidst escalating tensions in the region due to ongoing conflicts involving Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Both pilots, who ejected safely from their F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet, were rescued, though one sustained minor injuries. The incident highlights the growing dangers along the Red Sea corridor, despite increased patrols by U.S. and European military coalitions aimed at countering Iranian-backed Houthi forces.

The U.S. military, while conducting airstrikes targeting Houthi positions, revealed that the F/A-18 had launched from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier. However, it was mistakenly struck by a guided missile fired from the USS Gettysburg, a cruiser within the same strike group.

Heightened Tensions and Unclear Mistakes
Central Command confirmed the incident, but questions remain about how the Gettysburg mistook a U.S. aircraft for a threat, given the sophisticated radar and communication links within the carrier strike group. The event underscores the high-pressure environment created by Houthi attacks on ships, leaving crews with only seconds to make life-or-death decisions.

The U.S. Navy’s deployment to the region comes as part of a broader effort to curb Houthi aggression, which has included targeting merchant vessels with missiles and drones. Since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted in October 2023, Houthi forces have intensified their attacks, claiming to target entities connected to Israel, the U.S., and the UK. However, many of these attacks have struck unrelated commercial ships, worsening maritime insecurity.

U.S. Strikes in Yemen Escalate
In the hours leading up to the friendly fire incident, U.S. warplanes launched airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and surrounding areas. These strikes targeted key Houthi facilities, including missile storage and command centers, according to Central Command.

Houthi-controlled media confirmed the attacks but did not report casualties. The rebels, who have held Sanaa since 2014, have increasingly targeted Israel with drones and missiles, provoking retaliatory Israeli strikes.

Impact on Regional Security
The Red Sea corridor, critical for global shipping, has seen nearly 100 attacks on merchant vessels since October 2023. While some of these assaults have been intercepted by U.S. and European forces, others have resulted in significant damage and loss of life.

Houthi actions, often described as retaliatory measures against Israel’s military operations in Gaza, have sparked international condemnation. However, their indiscriminate targeting of ships, many with no ties to the Israel-Hamas conflict, raises broader concerns about regional stability.