Tuesday April 29, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — A $67 million U.S. Navy fighter jet and a tow tractor fell overboard from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman during operations in the Red Sea on Monday, as Houthi fighters claimed to have launched missiles at the carrier group, although U.S. officials have not confirmed any direct link between the incidents.
The Navy said the F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 136, was under tow inside the hangar bay when the crew lost control and the jet plunged into the sea along with the towing vehicle. One sailor sustained a minor injury. All others were accounted for and unharmed.
Crew members quickly moved away from the aircraft before it went overboard. The Navy has launched an investigation into the incident.
Despite the mishap, the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group and its embarked air wing remain fully mission capable, according to the Navy.
The incident marks the second time in six months that Truman or its aircraft have been involved in an accident.
On Dec. 22, 2024, one of Truman’s F/A-18F Super Hornets was mistakenly shot down by the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg during operations in the Red Sea. U.S. Central Command later described it as a “friendly fire” incident. Both the pilot and the weapon systems officer were rescued safely.
On Feb. 12, the carrier collided with a commercial vessel off Egypt’s coast. After repairs in Souda Bay, Greece, Truman resumed operations in under two weeks.
Since its return to active duty in late February, the Truman has launched more than 5,500 sorties. These included strikes against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen and a large coordinated operation targeting ISIS-Somalia militants in northeastern Somalia alongside U.S. Africa Command.
