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International Desk, May 7, 2025 : A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet was lost in the Red Sea after crashing into the sea during a landing attempt on the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, according to a CNN report. This marks the second loss of a Super Hornet from the same carrier in just over a week and the third in five months, raising concerns about operational challenges in the region.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, May 6, when the jet failed to stop on the carrier’s runway, plunging into the sea. The pilot and a weapons systems officer ejected safely and were rescued by a helicopter, sustaining minor injuries. The jet, valued at over $60 million (approximately BDT 7.29 billion), has not been recovered, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause.
The loss coincides with heightened tensions in the Red Sea, where the USS Harry S. Truman has been engaged in operations against Yemen’s Houthi rebels. On the same day, US President Donald Trump announced a cessation of airstrikes in Yemen, claiming the Houthis promised to halt attacks on US ships. The decision followed reports of a Houthi attack on the Truman, though the Pentagon clarified the jet was not struck by enemy fire.
This is the third F/A-18 Super Hornet lost by the USS Harry S. Truman since December 2024. On April 28, another Super Hornet fell overboard during a sharp evasive maneuver to avoid Houthi missiles, and in December, a friendly fire incident saw the USS Gettysburg shoot down a Truman-based jet. Both pilots ejected safely in the earlier incident.
The Houthis, who began targeting Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea in November 2023 in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza, have also attacked US naval assets, including the USS Harry S. Truman and USS Carl Vinson. The US has lost at least 22 MQ-9 Reaper drones to Houthi forces, each valued at $30 million (approximately BDT 3.64 billion).
The repeated losses highlight the intense operational strain on US forces in the Red Sea, where the Navy has conducted over 1,000 strikes against Houthi targets since March 2025. Critics question the effectiveness of the campaign, noting the Houthis’ resilience and the high financial and material costs.
AI/MR
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