A second F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet has been lost in the Red Sea from the USS Harry S. Truman, according to reports citing sources familiar with the incident. The jet was attempting to land on the aircraft carrier when something went wrong, forcing the pilot and weapons systems officer to eject. Both were later rescued by helicopter and sustained only minor injuries, according to sources briefed on the situation. The jet crashed into the sea and has not yet been recovered.
This marks the second such incident involving the Navy in recent days. The first occurred last week when another Super Hornet was lost after personnel onboard the Truman reportedly lost control of the jet in the hangar bay, causing it to fall into the Red Sea. In that case, the Navy confirmed that all crew members were accounted for and that an investigation was ongoing.
Each F/A-18 Super Hornet costs more than $60 million and is considered a cornerstone of U.S. naval aviation. The aircraft is a high-performance, twin-engine tactical fighter capable of multiple mission types.
The backdrop to these incidents includes rising tensions in the region, where U.S. forces have faced persistent threats from the Houthis, an Iran-backed rebel group based in Yemen. Despite the dangers, President Donald Trump recently announced that the U.S. would cease military strikes against the Houthis, claiming that a ceasefire agreement had been reached. The move marks a significant shift in tone from his earlier warnings and rhetoric toward the group.
The Department of Defense has also been under scrutiny following revelations that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other top Trump officials discussed military operations involving the Houthis in a private Signal group chat that reportedly included a journalist. The use of the encrypted messaging app to coordinate or share sensitive information has sparked concerns about security and protocol within the administration.
When reached for comment, the Pentagon referred inquiries to the Navy and reiterated the president’s remarks regarding the ceasefire. The Navy has yet to recover either of the lost jets, and formal investigations are underway into both incidents.
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