The US Navy has lost its first manned aircraft since the start of operations against the Houthis, after an F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet fell into the waters of the Red Sea from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman.
According to the Navy's statement, the incident occurred while ground crew members were towing the aircraft inside the Aircraft carrier's hangar bay and lost control of the jet. As a result, both the aircraft and the towing vehicle plunged into the sea. One sailor sustained minor injuries.
The Navy said the crew members managed to quickly move out of the aircraft's path before it fell into the water. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation.
The Navy emphasized that the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group and its air wing continue to operate at full operational capacity.
Since the US began its campaign against the Houthis on March 15, it has lost more than 20 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), either shot down by the Houthis or due to technical malfunctions.
