Another F-18 was lost in the Red Sea, presumably due to its carrier having to take evasive maneuvers after being targeted by land-to-sea missiles from Yemen:
The US Navy has lost another fighter jet in the Red Sea, marking the second incident involving an F/A-18 Super Hornet from the USS Harry S. Truman in just over a week, and the third such loss since Washington intensified operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The aircraft reportedly plunged into the sea after experiencing an arrestment failure while attempting to land on the carrier, forcing both the pilot and weapons systems officer to eject. CNN first reported the incident on Tuesday, citing multiple sources familiar with the matter.
“The arrestment failed, causing the aircraft to go overboard. Both aviators safely ejected and were rescued by a helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 11,” an unnamed defense official told USNI News. “The aviators were evaluated by medical personnel and assessed to have minor injuries. No flight deck personnel were injured.”
The incident reportedly occurred the same day the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group “took a shot” at the Truman, though it remains unclear whether the two events are connected.
That represents just under 1 percent of the US F-18 fleet lost to the Yemeni military, which is impressive in that Yemen does not even have an air force.
Perhaps more importantly, it tends to give the lie to President Trump’s unexpected claim yesterday that the Houthis have “capitulated” and have opened the Red Sea to the US Navy.