A US Navy F/A-18 Hornet was mistakenly shot down over the Red Sea by the USS Gettysburg, injuring one crew.
A statement from US Central Command described the incident as a “friendly fire,” saying the two crew members ejected safely, with one sustaining minor injuries.
“The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18,” the statement read, describing the incident as a “friendly fire” error.
The downing occurred after the United States conducted airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthi militant targets in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa.
The strikes were aimed at disrupting Houthi operations, threatening international shipping in the Red Sea and surrounding areas.
It is unclear whether it was involved in the Yemen operation at the time of the incident. jet had been launched from the aircraft carrier itself.