A newly released command investigation reveals shocking details about a December 2024 friendly-fire incident in which the USS Gettysburg, a US Navy cruiser operating in the Red Sea, mistook two American F/A-18 Super Hornet jets for incoming Houthi cruise missiles — and opened fire.
One Jet Shot Down, Another Barely Survives
- The Gettysburg fired a surface-to-air missile that shot down one F/A-18, forcing its pilot and weapons officer to eject. Both survived.
- A second missile was then launched at another American jet.
The aviators called “mayday” repeatedly and managed to outmaneuver the missile, which missed by mere feet. - A third friendly aircraft also fell under the ship’s crosshairs, but the crew never fired.
One pilot reported he saw his life flash before his eyes before ejecting.
How It Happened
Investigators cite a cascade of failures, including:
- Severe degradation in the ship’s interoperability and tracking systems
(identification, radar, network management) - Crew fatigue
- Poor situational awareness in the combat information center
- Confusion after earlier engagements with Houthi drones and missiles
- Faulty assumptions that led the captain to believe new threats were inbound
The report concludes the decision to fire was wrong based on the information available.
A Troubled Deployment
This wasn’t the only mishap for the USS Harry S. Truman strike group:
- A collision with a cargo vessel in February
- A Super Hornet falling off the flight deck in April
- Another Super Hornet sliding off deck after a landing failure in May
Navy Response
Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby said the service is using the incidents as part of its commitment to being a “learning organization.”
