Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BumRushDaShow

(144,170 posts)
Sun Dec 22, 2024, 06:22 AM Sunday

US shoots down two of its own navy pilots over Red Sea in 'apparent friendly fire' incident

Source: The Guardian/AP

Sun 22 Dec 2024 02.17 EST
Last modified on Sun 22 Dec 2024 02.38 EST


Two US navy pilots were shot down over the Red Sea on Sunday in an “apparent case of friendly fire”, the US military said, marking the most serious incident to threaten troops in more than a year of the country targeting Yemen’s Houthis.

Both pilots were rescued alive after ejecting from their stricken aircraft, with one suffering minor injuries. But the incident underlines just how dangerous the Red Sea corridor has become amid the ongoing attacks on shipping by the Iranian-backed Houthis despite US and European military coalitions patrolling the area.

The US military had conducted airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi at the time, though the military’s Central Command (Centcom) did not elaborate on what their mission was.

The F/A-18 shot down had just flown off the deck of the USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier, Centcom said. On 15 December Centcom acknowledged the Truman had entered the Middle East, but hadn’t specified that the carrier and its battle group was in the Red Sea. “The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, which is part of the USS Harry S Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18,” Centcom said in a statement. The incident was being investigated.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/22/us-shoots-down-two-of-its-own-navy-pilots-over-red-sea-in-apparent-friendly-fire-incident

22 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
US shoots down two of its own navy pilots over Red Sea in 'apparent friendly fire' incident (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Sunday OP
Well, I'm really glad the pilots were rescued and in good shape Walleye Sunday #1
Any plane crash you walk away from is a good crash. Irish_Dem Sunday #2
Yep, I'm glad our military puts emphasis and technology on protecting the pilots Walleye Sunday #4
Yes it is terrible when military families learn a plane went down. Irish_Dem Sunday #6
We need to increase in the order of F-18 Planes Oneear Sunday #3
So, this model was a 2-seater wolfie001 Sunday #5
F-18 types Billy Ruffian Yesterday #21
Yes, when you read the title, it implies multiple planes wolfie001 Yesterday #22
So who do you guess was the jerk-off responsible? 3Hotdogs Sunday #7
We know for sure it was not a Trump (R) BoRaGard Sunday #8
Most likely the Cruiser's Captain or weapons officer. Crowman2009 Sunday #11
I guess that officer will be pealing potatoes until his enlistment is up. 3Hotdogs Sunday #14
Yep, permanent shore duty for the rest of their career. Crowman2009 Monday #19
"So who do you guess was the jerk-off responsible?" EX500rider Sunday #18
And how much money does a F/A 18 cost? sinkingfeeling Sunday #9
Looks like the USS Gettysburg Captain might be relieved of command. Crowman2009 Sunday #10
The decision to fire moniss Sunday #12
Going to be a whole lot of openings tinymontgomery Sunday #13
At least we know they are alert. Hassin Bin Sober Sunday #15
guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg a little trigger happy. republianmushroom Sunday #16
There is a Wile E. Coyote Award for someone. Sneederbunk Sunday #17
Shooting down our own damn planes "underlines just how dangerous the Red Sea corridor has become" HereForTheParty Monday #20

Irish_Dem

(59,654 posts)
6. Yes it is terrible when military families learn a plane went down.
Sun Dec 22, 2024, 07:53 AM
Sunday

Everyone waits anxiously to hear if the crew is OK.
Usually it is not good news, but sometimes miracles do happen.

Oneear

(97 posts)
3. We need to increase in the order of F-18 Planes
Sun Dec 22, 2024, 07:27 AM
Sunday

I do believe we will be having some Retraining and Navy divers to recover some Planes in the Red Sea

wolfie001

(3,842 posts)
5. So, this model was a 2-seater
Sun Dec 22, 2024, 07:41 AM
Sunday

Some F-18s are single seat. Only one plane was shot down. When first reading the title, I got the impression that 2 planes were shot down. Glad both pilots are safe.

Billy Ruffian

(674 posts)
21. F-18 types
Tue Dec 24, 2024, 01:55 AM
Yesterday

IIRC, the B, D, and F models are two seaters, A, C, E are single seat. I don't think they reset the letter designations when they changed from the Hornet to the Super Hornet (the Hornets may have all been retired, now)

wolfie001

(3,842 posts)
22. Yes, when you read the title, it implies multiple planes
Tue Dec 24, 2024, 05:47 AM
Yesterday

Would have been more concise to state, "Navy plane shot down, both pilots rescued". I guess that would have been a bit boring for those "more eyeballs" lazy editors.

BoRaGard

(3,152 posts)
8. We know for sure it was not a Trump (R)
Sun Dec 22, 2024, 08:16 AM
Sunday

Since not one of them has ever served America.

Hope that narrows it down some.

EX500rider

(11,539 posts)
18. "So who do you guess was the jerk-off responsible?"
Sun Dec 22, 2024, 12:26 PM
Sunday

Most likely whoever was in charge of the CIC at the time (combat information center)
or if the plane got too close and the Phalanx CIWS was set to auto due to all the incoming threats, I wonder if the planes Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponder was acting up?

Crowman2009

(2,844 posts)
10. Looks like the USS Gettysburg Captain might be relieved of command.
Sun Dec 22, 2024, 09:26 AM
Sunday

As one would assume in this situation, or there will be a big brawl the next time that Cruiser is in the same port as the Truman.

moniss

(6,145 posts)
12. The decision to fire
Sun Dec 22, 2024, 10:11 AM
Sunday

is not just made by one lower ranked seaman. Somebody spotted the plane, reported it and someone in the command chain gave an order.

tinymontgomery

(2,682 posts)
13. Going to be a whole lot of openings
Sun Dec 22, 2024, 10:18 AM
Sunday

Going to be a whole lot of openings on that ship. Good chances the CO, possibly XO, Ops boss, and probably a few CIC watch officers.
What happened to their IFF?

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»US shoots down two of its...