A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet has reportedly been “lost” at sea after it fell from the USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier while being towed. According to a Navy statement, the incident occurred when the Truman made a sharp turn to evade possible fire from Houthi forces, leading to the jet going overboard.
The Houthi rebel group claimed responsibility for an attack involving drones and missiles aimed at the Truman, which is currently deployed in the Red Sea as part of a significant US military operation against Houthi threats. All personnel aboard the carrier have been accounted for, with only one sailor reported to have sustained a minor injury during the incident.
During the process of securing the F/A-18E in the hangar bay, the crew apparently lost control of the aircraft and the towing tractor, resulting in them both plunging into the sea. Immediate action was taken by sailors to distance themselves from the aircraft prior to its fall, prompting an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event.
Reports from a US official indicated that the aircraft has sunk, representing a significant loss, as each F/A-18 fighter jet is valued at over $60 million (approximately $93 million AUD).
The USS Truman Carrier Strike Group continues to operate in the Middle East and has been marked by previous incidents, including collisions with a merchant ship in February and an incident in December where another F/A-18 was mistakenly shot down by the USS Gettysburg, with both pilots ejecting safely. The Navy reassured that the Truman and its air wing remain fully capable of fulfilling their missions despite the recent challenges.