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22 December 2024

U.S. Navy Pilots Shot Down Over Red Sea Due To Friendly Fire

Incident highlights dangers amid U.S. operations against Houthi rebels and rising regional tensions.

Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down over the Red Sea on Sunday morning in what the military has described as "an apparent case of friendly fire." The incident marks one of the most serious events involving American forces amid over a year of operations targeting Yemen's Houthi rebels. The pilots safely ejected from their F/A-18 aircraft after it was struck by friendly fire from the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group.

According to U.S. Central Command, one of the pilots sustained minor injuries during the incident, which highlights the increasing dangers of military operations in the Red Sea area. Tensions have escalated significantly due to continued attacks on commercial shipping by Iranian-backed Houthi forces, occurring even as U.S. and European military coalitions patrol the region.

At the time of the shootdown, U.S. military forces were actively conducting airstrikes aimed at Houthi positions. Central Command did not disclose the specific objectives of the pilots’ mission but confirmed the airstrikes were part of broader efforts to combat the Houthi militants who have been attacking vessels for over a year.

The controlled waters near Yemen have become dangerous for navigation due to the Houthis targeting approximately 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the onset of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Houthi rebels, asserting their stance against Israel, have declared their attacks on shipping as part of their support for Palestine. Despite the heavy military presence, these assaults have persisted, indicating the high stakes involved.

Following the incident, concerns were raised about the challenges faced by allied forces operating in such complex environments, where both state-backed militias and friendly forces could inadvertently come to blows. Central Command has initiated a full investigation to understand how the USS Gettysburg mistook the friendly aircraft for either enemy fire or misidentified it altogether.

Adding to the tensions, earlier on the day of the incident, Houthi militants reportedly launched missiles at Israel, injuring several civilians. The Houthis' missile activity demonstrated their capabilities and resolve throughout the region, triggering U.S. military responses including airstrikes against Houthi missile and command facilities near Yemen's capital, Sanaa.

These simultaneous military operations have underscored the overlapping responsibilities of U.S. naval and aerial forces patrolling the volatile region. American operations escalated after the U.S. military confirmed the presence of the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier group, which had recently entered the Middle East on December 15.

The U.S. Navy has significantly ramped up its involvement against the Houthis and their operations, particularly as tensions between various factions have intensified following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. The operational tempo has increased, prompting U.S. forces to conduct strategic airstrikes aimed at degrading Houthi capabilities, including targeting missile storage sites.

Reports indicate the U.S. military aims to protect not only its forces but also commercial vessels traversing the Red Sea. For the USS Gettysburg, the friendly fire incident adds to the list of increasingly complex and risky engagements faced by maritime forces operating with limited visibility and immediate threat response requirements.

With the confirmation of the pilots' safe recovery, the military is focused on ensuring the crew involved is well-supported as investigations continue. The incident raises questions about command and control protocols within naval operations, particularly among allied forces operating close together within contested zones.

Military officials have not yet confirmed how the USS Gettysburg mistook the F/A-18 for enemy fire, especially considering the existing systems for tracking and identifying aircraft. The complex dynamics at play, from rapid decision-making to the pressures of operational security, create fertile ground for potential miscalculations.

The Red Sea incident may have significant consequences not only for U.S. military strategy but also for international relationships weighed down by complicated layers of conflict, diplomacy, and engagement. The consequences of these operations continue to ripple through both military and political spheres, drawing renewed attention to the impact of recent escalations on the global stage.