U.S. Military Misfires, Shoots Down Own F-18

The U.S. military confirmed that an F/A-18 fighter jet was mistakenly shot down by the USS Gettysburg, part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, over the Red Sea on December 22. Both pilots ejected safely, with one suffering minor injuries, and were subsequently rescued. This incident, classified as 'friendly fire', occurred amid ongoing military operations targeting Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have been responsible for attacks in the region. Central Command is conducting a full investigation into how the friendly fire incident occurred, especially given the close coordination typically maintained among ships and aircraft in the area. The U.S. military had conducted airstrikes against Houthi targets shortly before the incident, highlighting the heightened tensions in the Red Sea. The situation remains critical as U.S. forces continue to engage in operations to counter Houthi threats.