Second US Navy fighter jet narrowly avoided being shot down in ‘friendly fire’ incident: source
On a night when a U.S. Navy fighter jet was tragically shot down over the Red Sea, another jet narrowly escaped a similar fate. A second F/A-18 Super Hornet, flying just a few miles behind the jet that was downed, had to quickly maneuver to avoid a second surface-to-air missile fired from the USS Gettysburg cruiser. The missile missed the second jet by a mere 100 feet as it was preparing to land on the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman, according to a source with inside knowledge of the incident.
A Navy official confirmed that a second SM-2 missile was indeed fired from the USS Gettysburg and that an investigation is ongoing to determine whether the missile was targeting the second jet. There are also suspicions that the guidance system on the second missile may have been deliberately switched off. This alarming near-miss involving a second U.S. Navy jet has not been previously reported.
The incident occurred during a mission in which the F/A-18 Super Hornet was returning to the carrier after providing midair refueling support for other jets conducting airstrikes in Yemen. The crew of the jet recognized that they were being targeted by the missile and ejected just moments before impact. They were swiftly rescued by a helicopter and brought back to the carrier, with one of them sustaining minor injuries.
The U.S. Central Command initially stated that the USS Gettysburg had mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18 Super Hornet, but the source disputed this account. The pilot and weapons systems officer did indeed manage to eject in time, avoiding a tragic outcome. However, the fact that a second American fighter jet was also targeted by the cruiser and narrowly escaped destruction has not been disclosed by either Central Command or the Pentagon.
Following the incident, Navy pilots have expressed frustration and raised concerns about the adequacy of training procedures aboard the USS Gettysburg. The lack of communication and coordination that led to the near shoot-down of two friendly jets is alarming and underscores the need for improved protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.
The friendly fire incident occurred shortly after the Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier strike group arrived in the Red Sea. The strikes against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on December 21st were the first for the strike group since its deployment to the region. The American warships faced hostile fire during the operation, which may have contributed to the confusion that led to the near miss involving the second jet.
As investigations continue into the incident, it is crucial that lessons are learned and corrective actions are taken to ensure the safety of all personnel involved in military operations. The bravery and quick thinking of the crew of the F/A-18 Super Hornet undoubtedly saved lives that night, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those serving in the armed forces.
