$60 Million US Navy Jet Falls Off Aircraft Carrier/LT Col Daniel Davis

April 29, 2025
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A U.S. Navy F/A-18 fighter jet accidentally rolled off the deck of the USS Harry S. Truman into the Red Sea during evasive maneuvers prompted by an incoming missile threat. The ship, part of one of two U.S. aircraft carrier groups in the region, had to make a sharp turn, which caused the unchained aircraft—being towed by a tractor at the time—to slide off the tilted flight deck. One crew member sustained minor injuries.

The broader context involves U.S. naval presence in the Red Sea to secure shipping lanes amid ongoing Houthi attacks, which began in solidarity with Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war. Despite military efforts, including bombing campaigns, the Houthis have remained undeterred.

British Commodore Steve Jeremy explained that aircraft on carrier decks are normally chained down unless being moved, in which case they are temporarily unrestrained. In fast-moving situations like pop-up missile threats, communication between flight operations, the bridge, and radar centers is critical—but can falter under pressure.

The incident underscores the risks U.S. forces face in a region with limited reaction time and close proximity to hostile missile-launching positions. Defensive systems on U.S. ships include layered protections: electronic jamming, missile interception, and last-resort Gatling guns like the Phalanx system.