Navy Aircraft Mishaps Continue: Second Fighter Jet Lost at Sea

In a troubling trend, the U.S. Navy has lost a second fighter jet within two weeks, with an F/A-18 Super Hornet going overboard during landing maneuvers aboard the U.S.S. Harry S. Truman. The incident, attributed to malfunctioning arrestment systems, has resulted in the pilots sustaining minor injuries.

For the second consecutive week, a fighter jet belonging to the U.S. Navy has been lost at sea, heightening concerns about operations aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Harry S. Truman stationed in the Red Sea. On Tuesday, as an F/A-18 Super Hornet attempted to land, its arrestment system failed, leading the aircraft to topple overboard.

The two pilots, who managed to eject safely, incurred only minor injuries and were swiftly rescued by a helicopter crew. This incident follows closely behind another mishap involving a different F/A-18 Super Hornet, which, along with a tow tractor, fell from the Truman’s deck after operational mishaps while the carrier repositioned itself to counter perceived threats from Houthi missile strikes and drone activities in the region.

The Houthi rebels, engaged in hostilities against commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea, claimed to act in solidarity with the Palestinian people amid the ongoing Gaza crisis. In a recent development, the U.S. and the Houthis brokered a temporary agreement, halting American airstrikes against the group provided they cease attacks on U.S. vessels. President Trump, discussing the truce, expressed cautious optimism regarding the promises made by the Houthis not to target shipping operations further.

This escalation in military activity has resulted in a costly operation, known as Operation Rough Rider, which commenced under Trump’s commands earlier this year. The military has executed over 800 strikes in Yemen since its inception, incurring costs exceeding $1 billion.

In addition to these losses, the U.S.S. Truman has experienced several other significant incidents during its time in the Middle East, including a collision with a merchant vessel in February and the accidental downing of a Super Hornet by the U.S.S. Gettysburg in December, both of which raised awareness regarding navigation and engagement protocols in the congested waters of the Red Sea.