Second F-18 Fighter Jet Lost Overboard in Red Sea from USS Truman

Latest F-18 Incident

• ✈️ A US F-18 Super Hornet fighter jet assigned to the USS Harry S. Truman was lost overboard in the Red Sea after failing to catch an arrestment wire while attempting to land.
• 💰 The aircraft is valued at $70 million.
• 🧑‍✈️ Both pilots safely ejected and were rescued by helicopter, sustaining only minor injuries.

USS Truman's Recent Mishaps

• 🚢 This is the second F-18 lost overboard in nine days, with another jet having rolled off the hanger deck while being towed just last week, injuring one sailor.
• 💥 In December 2024, a fighter jet was shot down by friendly fire from the USS Gettysburg, though the aircrew ejected safely.
• ⚓️ The USS Truman also accidentally collided with a merchant vessel near the Suez Canal in February.

Operational Context and Investigation

• 🌊 The USS Truman has been deployed in the Red Sea since the fall, conducting strikes against Iranian-backed Houthi militants.
• ⚠️ The Pentagon confirmed the aircraft was not struck by the Houthis.
• 📊 Despite these incidents, officials state the strike group remains fully mission capable.
• 🔍 An investigation into both recent F-18 incidents is currently underway.