US Super Hornet mistakenly shot down over Red Sea, raising concerns.

US Navy Super Hornet mistakenly shot down over Red Sea

A US Navy Super Hornet fighter jet was mistakenly shot down by a friendly cruiser over the Red Sea on Sunday, May 23, 2022. The incident occurred amid the US military's intensive operations against the Houthis in Yemen.

The two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet, operating from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, was mistakenly targeted by the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg at around 3 am local time. Both pilots ejected safely, with one sustaining minor injuries.

The US Naval Institute's USNI News reported that a full investigation is underway. The incident is considered the most serious threat to US troops in over a year of targeting the Houthis.

Possible factors contributing to the incident

Chinese military expert Wang Ya'nan believes the incident may be linked to the pressure exerted by Houthi forces on US forces. The Red Sea has witnessed increased military activity in recent months, with the US military engaging Houthi drones and missiles.

Wang suggests that the constant threat from Houthi attacks may have led to operational fatigue and a heightened state of alertness among US forces. This could have contributed to the mistaken identification and subsequent shooting down of the friendly aircraft.

Additionally, Wang notes that the US warship may have bypassed standard identification procedures in its haste to respond to the perceived threat. He also suggests that the US military's combat information-sharing system may not be functioning optimally, leading to the friendly aircraft being misidentified.

Implications for US military operations

The incident highlights the potential challenges faced by the US military in operating in a complex and dynamic environment. The constant threat from non-state actors like the Houthis, coupled with the use of new tactics like drone warfare, can lead to operational fatigue and errors in judgment.

The incident also raises questions about the effectiveness of the US military's information-sharing systems and its ability to distinguish between friend and foe in the heat of battle. Addressing these challenges will be crucial for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of US military operations in the future.