In a shocking near-miss, a second U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet narrowly avoided being shot down by friendly fire over the Red Sea on the same night another jet was downed. A source close to the situation revealed to Fox News that the Super Hornet, just miles behind the first aircraft, was forced into evasive maneuvers after a second surface-to-air missile, launched from the USS Gettysburg, missed it by a mere 100 feet. The jet was preparing to land on the USS Harry S. Truman at the time.
A Navy official confirmed the launch of the second SM-2 missile and stated that an investigation is underway to determine if it was targeting the second Super Hornet. The Navy is also examining whether the USS Gettysburg deactivated the missile's guidance system. This near-catastrophe has not been previously disclosed.
The source contradicted U.S. Central Command's initial statement that the downed F/A-18 was hit during airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Instead, the source clarified that the jet was returning to the Truman after a refueling mission when the missile struck. The crew ejected seconds before impact and sustained minor injuries.
Neither Central Command nor the Pentagon has acknowledged the near-miss of the second jet. The source expressed grave concern, stating, "The cruiser almost shot down two friendly jets." Following the incident, airstrikes from the Truman against Houthi targets were halted.
The incident has sparked outrage among Navy pilots, who question the training aboard the USS Gettysburg, deeming it "insufficient." The friendly fire occurred shortly after the Truman strike group arrived in the Red Sea. While Central Command reported downing Houthi drones and a missile during the operation, it's suspected that incoming fire may have contributed to the friendly fire incident.
