The USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier lost a second jet in a week yesterday, after a failed landing attempt.
Details are scarce, but Navy officials have confirmed the F/A-18F Super Hornet had a “failed arrestment”. Whatever the case, the jet went off the deck and to the bottom of the Red Sea.
Both crew on the jet ejected safely, and were recovered quickly with minor injuries.
Another jet fell overboard just a week ago
The incident is just the latest for the Truman. Just a week ago another F-18 fell off the side of the ship when the ship made an unexpected maneuver to avoid missile fire from Houthi rebels.
The jets cost $60-70 million each.
Crews involved with that incident also got away with just minor injuries.
Truman is Engaged in Operation Rough Rider
Truman and the greater Carrier Air Wing 1 have been in the Red Sea since February. They have been busy, engaged in Operation Rough Rider, an intense campaign targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen to “restore freedom of navigation and American deterrence in the region,” according to U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM). The Houthis are backed by Iran.
Thus far, forces have struck over 800 targets, killing hundreds of Houthi fighters and many of their leaders. Multiple command-and-control facilities have been taken out, along with air defense systems, advanced weapons manufacturing facilities, and advanced weapons storage locations.
President Trump is Discussing Stand-Down with Houthis
On Tuesday (May 6), President Trump said American forces will stop attacking Houthi targets, claiming they have agreed to a stand-down.
Houthi officials, however, responded by saying they haven’t agreed to anything yet, but they are considering it.
