Two U.S. Navy pilots narrowly escaped death after their F/A-18 Super Hornet was shot down by friendly fire over the Red Sea, highlighting the ongoing dangers in military operations.
At a Glance
- Two US Navy pilots were shot down by friendly fire from the USS Gettysburg in the Red Sea
- Both pilots survived after ejecting, with one sustaining minor injuries
- The incident occurred during airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthis
- Friendly fire incidents are more common than officially acknowledged
- The event underscores the need for improved communication and coordination in military operations
Friendly Fire Incident in the Red Sea
In a shocking turn of events, two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down over the Red Sea in an apparent friendly fire incident involving the USS Gettysburg. The incident occurred while the USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier and its battle group were conducting airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthis. Both pilots managed to eject from their F/A-18 Super Hornet, with one sustaining minor injuries.
The U.S. Central Command (Centcom) confirmed the incident, stating, “The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, which is part of the USS Harry S Truman carrier strike group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18.” This unfortunate event highlights the complex and dangerous nature of military operations in the region, especially amid ongoing Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea corridor.
The Reality of Friendly Fire
While the term “friendly fire” might seem paradoxical, it’s a harsh reality of modern warfare. Contrary to popular belief, incidents of friendly fire are more frequent than officially acknowledged. The Department of Defense has noted that such occurrences can be attributed to various factors, including the short duration of conflicts, lack of battle experience among front-line troops, and more thorough investigations in recent operations.
“Fratricide is the employment of friendly weapons and munitions with the intent to kill the enemy or destroy his equipment or facilities, which results in unforeseen and unintentional death or injury to friendly personnel,” the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) explains.
Historical data suggests that friendly fire rates have been consistently higher than the often-cited 2% figure. For instance, during Operation Desert Storm, the official friendly fire casualty rate was reported at 17%, but actual rates may be even higher.
Challenges in Combat Identification
The incident in the Red Sea underscores the ongoing challenges in combat identification and the critical need for improved communication between different branches of the military. Despite efforts to enhance Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) technology and revise operational procedures, progress has been slow.
“There is no such a thing as friendly fire. It is all unfriendly and specifically optimized to kill airplanes,” Darrel D. Whitcomb, a military analyst, aptly points out.
International cooperation on IFF systems has been hindered by funding constraints, service parochialism, and business caution. The U.S. and NATO continue to work on improving combat identification systems, but the complexity of modern warfare presents ongoing challenges.
Implications for Future Operations
The recent incident in the Red Sea serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by military personnel, not just from enemy forces but also from potential mishaps within their own ranks. It highlights the urgent need for enhanced coordination and communication between various military branches and the continuous improvement of identification systems.
“Although I remained wary of the Iraqi SAM (surface-to-air missile) threat, I was actually more afraid of our own Patriot batteries,” an F-18 pilot once remarked, illustrating the complex nature of modern combat environments.
