The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman has been involved in yet another incident following the reported loss of another F/A-18 Super Hornet strike fighter from its embarked air wing. This marks the third aircraft the carrier has lost in the waters of the Red Sea—incidents which, officially, have not been directly attributed to hostile action.
According to initial reports by CNN, the latest incident in the Red Sea involved a two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron 11 “Red Rippers.” The loss of the aircraft reportedly occurred during a landing attempt, when the Super Hornet’s tailhook failed to catch the arresting wire aboard the USS Harry S. Truman.
“…The system failed, causing the aircraft to fall overboard. Both aviators ejected safely and were rescued by a helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 11… The aviators were evaluated by medical personnel and determined to have sustained minor injuries. No flight deck personnel were injured…,” CNN reported, citing a U.S. Department of Defense official.
This marks the third Super Hornet lost from the USS Harry S. Truman. Just over a week ago, the loss of an F/A-18E Super Hornet was reported after it plunged into the Red Sea during evasive maneuvers by the carrier. That aircraft, which belonged to Strike Fighter Squadron 136 “Knighthawks,” was not secured in time and slid overboard from one of the carrier’s aircraft elevators.
The first F/A-18F Super Hornet lost by the U.S. Navy in the Red Sea occurred in December 2024, when the cruiser USS Gettysburg mistakenly shot down an aircraft belonging to the “Red Rippers” squadron. That friendly fire incident highlighted the risks of operating in the high-tension environment of the Red Sea, where friendly aircraft must maneuver alongside threats from enemy drones and missiles.
Illustrative cover image. Credits: U.S. Navy – Petty Officer 2nd Class Logan McGuire.
You may also like: Sixth John Lewis-Class Replenishment Oiler Launched for the U.S. Navy
