The USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier experienced a significant incident when it reportedly lost an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet overboard while evading fire from Houthi forces in the Red Sea.
According to the U.S. Navy, the jet fell into the sea after sailors lost control while towing it in the hangar bay. One sailor sustained injuries during the incident.
This mishap occurred amid heightened tensions in the region, as the Houthis reportedly launched a barrage of drones and missiles targeting the carrier.
A U.S. official indicated that a hard turn made by the Truman to avoid the attack contributed to the jet’s loss.
A US official has also confirmed this detail to me.
The carrier was evading Houthi fire and made a hard turn ahead of the jet falling into the water. https://t.co/E3V4ahLdww
— Konstantin Toropin (@KToropin) April 28, 2025
The Navy is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Each F/A-18 fighter jet is valued at over $60 million, making this loss significant.
Despite the setback, the Navy reassured that the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group remains fully mission capable.
This strike group is composed of the Truman, Carrier Air Wing 1, three guided-missile destroyers, and the USS Gettysburg, a cruiser.
This incident is not the first challenge faced by the USS Harry S. Truman. In February, the carrier collided with a merchant ship near Port Said, Egypt, although no injuries were reported at that time.
Additionally, in December, the USS Gettysburg mistakenly shot down another F/A-18 while operating in the Red Sea, but the pilots successfully ejected.
The situation highlights ongoing military concerns in the region, particularly following President Donald Trump’s re-designation of the Houthis as a foreign terrorist group earlier this year, reinforcing U.S. military operations against them to protect navigation in the area.
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