For the second time in under two weeks, a fighter jet from the United States Navy's aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman has been lost in the Red Sea. The latest incident occurred on Tuesday when an F/A-18 Super Hornet attempted to land on the ship's flight deck. The aircraft unfortunately experienced a failure in its arrestment system, which is designed to halt jets upon landing, according to a statement from the United States Central Command. As a result, the aircraft went overboard, prompting the pilots to eject. Fortunately, they sustained only minor injuries and were rescued by helicopter.
This accident follows closely behind another incident where an F/A-18 Hornet, along with a tow tractor, fell from the Truman's deck while the aircraft carrier was adjusting its position to counter perceived threats from Houthi missile and drone attacks. The Houthis have been targeting both commercial and military vessels in the region for over a year, asserting their actions are aimed at exhibiting solidarity with residents in Gaza and Hamas.
In context, on Tuesday, the U.S. reached an agreement with Houthi representatives in Yemen, halting American airstrikes against the group as they promised to cease their attacks on U.S. vessels operating in the Red Sea. President Trump remarked on the deal, emphasizing that the Houthis have agreed to refrain from further aggression towards American maritime interests.
Earlier this year, Trump initiated Operation Rough Rider, a military campaign against the Houthis that has reportedly cost over one billion dollars and targeted more than 800 positions within Yemen. Notably, the USS Truman has a troubled operational record since its deployment to the Middle East in September. It has faced several significant accidents, including a collision with a merchant vessel near Egypt and an incident where one of its F/A-18 Super Hornets was accidentally shot down by the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, although the pilots were safely recovered.
These recent events raise crucial questions about the operational safety of the USS Truman and the broader implications of U.S. military actions in a volatile region.
