An F/A 18 fighter jet failed to land on the USS Harry S. Truman on Wednesday and fell into the Red Sea.
It marks the second aircraft the Navy aircraft carrier has lost in the last two weeks. The first was an F/A-18E Super Hornet, which was under tow just before it fell into the Red Sea along with a tow tractor. Each F/A 18 costs roughly $60 million.
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On Wednesday, the second F/A 18 was attempting to land when “the arrestment failed,” according to a Defense Department source cited by the Associated Press. The arrestment refers to the hook on the bottom of the aircraft that connects to steel cables on the carrier that slow the aircraft down to the necessary speed for landing.
The two pilots ejected from the aircraft safely but still sustained injuries. A helicopter was involved in their rescue. There were no injuries reported on the flight deck.
The USS Harry S. Truman was behind the strikes against Houthi terrorists who were targeting U.S. ships in the Red Sea. Over 30 Houthi rebels were killed as a result of the strikes. These latest actions reflect a change between President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden’s policies on the Houthis.
US NAVY SUPER HORNET AIRCRAFT AND TOW LOST AT SEA AFTER GOING OVERBOARD OFF USS HARRY S. TRUMAN
Under the Biden administration, the United States destroyed several missiles belonging to the Houthis and 36 of their stockpiles with the help of the United Kingdom last year. Prior to U.S. retaliation, the Houthis appeared to be poised to attack Navy ships in the area.
The USS Harry S. Truman collided with a merchant ship off the coast of Port Said, Egypt, in February.