U.S. Navy F/A-18 Jet Downed Over Red Sea: Friendly Fire or Houthi Missile?

A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornet was reportedly downed over the Red Sea on December 22, sparking debate over whether the incident resulted from "friendly fire" or a missile strike by Yemen’s Houthi forces.

Both pilots ejected safely, with one sustaining minor injuries, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

The Yemeni Ansar Allah group, also known as the Houthis, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it was retaliation for recent U.S. airstrikes targeting missile storage sites and command facilities in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. However, CENTCOM attributed the incident to friendly fire, claiming that the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg mistakenly hit the F/A-18 during operations near the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group.

CENTCOM also highlighted simultaneous missions to neutralize multiple Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile over the Red Sea, emphasizing that their actions aimed to disrupt potential threats to U.S. Navy warships and merchant vessels in strategic waterways like the Gulf of Aden.

Why the Explanation Faces Scrutiny

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski has raised doubts about the official narrative, as per Sputnik. She noted the unusual speed of the Pentagon's admission, limited media coverage emphasizing pilot safety, and the Houthis’ demonstrated ability to hit targets in the region over the past 15 months.

Kwiatkowski suggested the jet could have been struck by a Houthi missile shortly after takeoff, a vulnerable phase when countermeasures are less effective. She speculated that U.S. defense systems might have been configured to avoid targeting friendly forces, inadvertently allowing an external missile to strike.

This incident comes amid increasing scrutiny of U.S. military strategy in the region. Kwiatkowski criticized the aging infrastructure and high operational costs of the Navy’s 12 carrier strike groups, calling them overstretched and vulnerable in modern conflict scenarios. She argued that the incident highlights systemic challenges within the U.S. military and urged a reassessment of priorities to align with national interests and constitutional goals.