An F/A-18 reportedly fell overboard the plane service USS Harry S. Truman within the Pink Sea – the second in simply over every week
The US Navy has misplaced one other fighter jet within the Pink Sea, marking the second incident involving an F/A-18 Tremendous Hornet from the USS Harry S. Truman in simply over every week, and the third such loss since Washington intensified operations towards Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The plane reportedly plunged into the ocean after experiencing an arrestment failure whereas making an attempt to land on the service, forcing each the pilot and weapons methods officer to eject. CNN first reported the incident on Tuesday, citing a number of sources aware of the matter.
“The arrestment failed, inflicting the plane to go overboard. Each aviators safely ejected and have been rescued by a helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron 11,” an unnamed protection official advised USNI Information. “The aviators have been evaluated by medical personnel and assessed to have minor accidents. No flight deck personnel have been injured.”
The incident reportedly occurred the identical day the Iran-backed Houthi insurgent group “took a shot” on the Truman, although it stays unclear whether or not the 2 occasions are related. A proper investigation is underway, whereas the Navy has but to formally affirm the small print.
Simply final week, one other F/A-18 fell overboard from the Truman throughout evasive maneuvers to keep away from incoming Houthi missile fireplace. In a separate incident final December, an F/A-18 was mistakenly shot down by the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg shortly after launching from the Truman for bombing raids towards Houthi targets in Yemen.
Every F/A-18 Tremendous Hornet prices between $60 million and $70 million, in line with Pentagon estimates. The Houthis have additionally claimed to have shot down greater than a dozen American MQ-9 Reaper drones over the previous yr, every valued at roughly $30 million.
The US has repeatedly clashed with the Houthis because the group started focusing on Pink Sea delivery in late 2023, claiming to behave in solidarity with the Palestinian folks amid Israel’s navy marketing campaign in Gaza. The Truman strike group has launched quite a few airstrikes on Yemen as a part of a broader US-UK operation.
Nonetheless, on Tuesday, President Donald Trump introduced that Washington would “instantly halt” its bombing marketing campaign, claiming the Houthis had “capitulated” and not sought confrontation. Shortly after the announcement, Oman confirmed it had mediated a ceasefire settlement between the US and the Houthis, with each side pledging to not goal each other within the Pink Sea.
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