2 US Navy Fighter Jets shot down over the Red Sea.

Questiqa World: On December 22, 2024, a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet was accidentally shot down over the Red Sea. US Navy Fighter Jets were by the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg in a friendly fire incident. The aircraft, part of Strike Fighter Squadron 11 (VFA-11) operating from the USS Harry S. Truman, was conducting operations related to heightened tensions in the region. Both pilots ejected safely, although one of them sustained minor injuries.

The attack took place amidst the U.S. military strikes against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The latter have recently intensified attacks on shipping in the Red Sea after the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023. In response, the U.S. has augmented its military presence by launching airstrikes against Houthi targets, which include the capital city of Yemen, Sanaa.

The friendly fire indicates the difficulty of operating in a multiple-actor, ongoing conflict zone. A comprehensive investigation is currently underway to determine the cause and take steps to avoid such an incident in the future. The event emphasizes the risks involved in conducting complex military operations in unstable regions and serves as a reminder of the necessity for more effective coordination and situational awareness in combat missions.