Sunday registered one of those unfortunate incidents: a friendly fire accident that downed a US Navy F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet over the Red Sea. Fortunately, both crew members aboard were ejected from the craft just in time: one suffered very minor injuries. The fighter was part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, which had recently been involved in airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. The explosion followed a friendly fire event where the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg inadvertently fired upon the fighter.
The full investigative efforts in matters of the US Navy are aimed at ensuring that the misfire mistake is brought to light. Initial reports suggested that a communication error on the part of the two ships was not so unfortunate. USS Harry S. Truman and its strike group were on normal routine patrol in the region to help guarantee the security of sea navigation and support operations against the Houthis.
Also Read: FIA Arrests 3 Womens for Begging in Saudi Arabia
It was one of several planes deployed off the carrier onto other missions, including reconnaissance and air support to ground forces, and such incidents raise safety flags regarding protocols and communication systems within the strike group.
Military experts believe there should be an improvement in technology as well as training so these events are not experienced in the future. The US Navy assures the public that actions are on the way to further enhance the safety of personnel and equipment.
After an investigative procedure, the Navy aimed to absorb as much information from this incident to avoid it in the future, while ensuring expanded measures of quality operational excellence.