The U.S. Navy announced on Monday that an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet and a tow tractor were lost overboard from the USS Harry S. Truman during operations in the Red Sea. The incident occurred while the aircraft was being towed in a hangar bay, and the crew reportedly lost control, leading to both the jet and tow tractor falling into the sea.
According to the Navy, sailors involved in the towing operation took immediate action to move clear of the aircraft before it went overboard. All personnel were accounted for, with only one sailor sustaining minor injuries. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.
The F/A-18 Super Hornet, valued at approximately $67.4 million according to the Navy Air Systems Command, marks the second such loss from the USS Harry S. Truman in recent years. In July 2022, another F/A-18 Super Hornet was blown overboard near Naples, Italy, due to unexpected heavy winds. Additionally, in December 2023, an F/A-18 Super Hornet was shot down over the Red Sea in what was described as a friendly fire incident.
Despite this latest setback, officials confirmed that the HARRY S. TRUMAN Carrier Strike Group remains fully mission-capable. The strike group, which includes the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN aircraft carrier, nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing 1, three guided-missile destroyers from Destroyer Squadron 28, and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS GETTYSBURG, continues its operations in the Red Sea.
The USS HARRY S. TRUMAN has been actively involved in launching strikes against Houthi terrorists in Yemen. The Iran-backed Houthi group has claimed responsibility for recent attacks on the carrier and its accompanying warships, as well as merchant vessels navigating the Red Sea. These attacks have intensified following a U.S. military campaign initiated by former President DONALD TRUMP on March 15, aimed at neutralizing the Houthi threat.
Since mid-March, U.S. Central Command reports that over 800 targets have been struck in efforts to eliminate Houthi capabilities. The Houthis have justified their actions in solidarity with Hamas following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
For further details, refer to the original reports by Fox News Digital and The Associated Press.
[Fox News Digital](https://www.foxnews.com)
[The Associated Press](https://apnews.com)