American aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman lost fighter jet in the Red Sea
An F/A-18E fighter jet and a tow tractor fell overboard from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier into the Red Sea. The crew was rescued, and an investigation into the incident is underway.
Photo: U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. Fifth Fleet, CC BY 2.0
In the Red Sea, the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) lost an F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet and a tow tractor, according to information published on the U.S. Navy's website.
The incident occurred during the towing of the aircraft on the hangar deck: the team lost control, and the equipment fell overboard.
All crew members survived, with one sailor sustaining minor injuries. After the incident, the towing teams immediately moved to a safe area.
An official investigation has been launched at the scene. Despite the loss of equipment, the carrier strike group and its air wing continue to carry out combat missions.
The group includes the flagship USS Harry S. Truman, nine squadrons of the CVW-1 air wing, three escort destroyers, and the cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64).
CNN reported that an American official said initial data from the scene indicated that the USS Harry S. Truman made a sharp maneuver to evade fire from the Houthis, which in turn caused the fighter to fall overboard.
Yemeni Houthi rebels on Monday claimed they had attacked the aircraft carrier using a drone and a missile. The USS Harry S. Truman is operating in the Red Sea as part of a major U.S. military operation against the Iran-backed group.