Houthis claim responsibility for the downing of the F/A-18 Super Hornet declared by the US Navy as a “friendly fire” loss

As we reported yesterday, a two-seat F/A-18 Super Hornet assigned to Carrier Air Wing One aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) was mistakenly shot down over the Red Sea. The incident occurred when the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64), a Ticonderoga-class vessel, accidentally fired on the aircraft. The pilots ejected in time and were rescued without serious injuries. However, the Houthi rebels claim the downing as a victory for their air defense.

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The official publication site of the U.S. Navy, USNI News, reported that the strike group to which the F/A-18F belonged is part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, led by the United States. This mission aims to safeguard merchant shipping in the Red Sea from attacks by Houthi rebels operating from Yemen. Throughout the operation, strike groups and U.S. guided-missile warships have intercepted dozens of drones, guided cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis.

The downed aircraft, a two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet, likely belonged to the Strike Fighter Squadron 11 (VFA-11) «Red Rippers,» which was deployed from the USS Harry S. Truman. In the days and houres leading up to the incident, it had participated in attacks against targets in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. According to a statement from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) published on Saturday, the U.S. airstrikes targeted a missile storage facility and a command-and-control node.

CENTCOM Conducts Airstrikes Against Iran-Backed Houthi Missile Storage and Command/Control Facilities in Yemen

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted precision airstrikes against a missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility operated by… pic.twitter.com/YRWWQJIweP

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 21, 2024

The official US Navy version indicates that the loss of the fighter was the result of a “friendly fire” incident. According to this narrative, the USS Gettysburg mistakenly fired on the F/A-18F as it was taking off from the carrier. However, this explanation has been challenged by the Houthi rebels, whose official name is Ansarullah Islamic Resistance Front. Through a post on the Telegram social network, they claimed to have attacked the US battle group with eight missiles and 17 drones, and claimed responsibility for shooting down the Super Hornet.

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The Ansarullah movement has demonstrated on other occasions its ability to shoot down U.S. and Israeli drones, but in this case, they have yet to offer concrete evidence to support their version of the F/A-18F shoot down.