Breaking News:

WORLD NEWS

Two US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent ‘friendly fire’ incident, US military says

Dec 21, 2024, 9:03 PM | Updated: 9:06 pm

An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the Black Knights of Strike Fighter Squadron 154, lands on the...

An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the Black Knights of Strike Fighter Squadron 154, lands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), March 18, 2020. (MCX3 Nicholas Huynh/U.S. Navy/FILE)

(MCX3 Nicholas Huynh/U.S. Navy/FILE)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down Sunday over the Red Sea in an apparent “friendly fire” incident, the U.S military said, marking the most serious incident to threaten troops in over a year of America targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Both pilots were recovered alive after ejecting from their stricken aircraft, with one suffering minor injuries. But the shootdown underlines just how dangerous the Red Sea corridor has become over the ongoing attacks on shipping by the Iranian-backed Houthis despite U.S. and European military coalitions patrolling the area.

The U.S. military had conducted airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels at the time, though the U.S. military’s Central Command did not elaborate on what their mission was and did not immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press.

The F/A-18 shot down had just flown off the deck of the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, Central Command said. On Dec. 15, Central Command acknowledged the Truman had entered the Mideast, but hadn’t specified that the carrier and its battle group was in the Red Sea.

“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,” Central Command said in a statement.

From the military’s description, the aircraft shot down was a two-seat F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet assigned to the “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron 11 out of Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.

It wasn’t immediately clear how the Gettysburg could mistake an F/A-18 for an enemy aircraft or missile, particularly as ships in a battle group remain linked by both radar and radio communication.

However, Central Command said that warships and aircraft earlier shot down multiple Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile launched by the rebels. Incoming hostile fire from the Houthis has given sailors just seconds to make decisions in the past.

Since the Truman’s arrival, the U.S. has stepped up its airstrikes targeting the Houthis and their missile fire into the Red Sea and the surrounding area. However, the presence of an American warship group may spark renewed attacks from the rebels, like what the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower saw earlier this year. That deployment marked what the Navy described as its most intense combat since World War II.

On Saturday night and early Sunday, U.S. warplanes conducted airstrikes that shook Sanaa, the capital of Yemen that the Houthis have held since 2014. Central Command described the strikes as targeting a “missile storage facility” and a “command-and-control facility,” without elaborating.

Houthi-controlled media reported strikes in both Sanaa and around the port city of Hodeida, without offering any casualty or damage information. In Sanaa, strikes appeared particularly targeted at a mountainside known to be home to military installations. The Houthis did not acknowledge the aircraft being shot down in the Red Sea.

The Houthis have targeted about 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip started in October 2023 after Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage.

Israel’s grinding offensive in Gaza has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians, local health officials say. The tally doesn’t distinguish between combatants and civilians.

The Houthis have seized one vessel and sunk two in a campaign that has also killed four sailors. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by separate U.S.- and European-led coalitions in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets, which have also included Western military vessels.

The rebels maintain that they target ships linked to Israel, the U.S. or the United Kingdom to force an end to Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran.

The Houthis also have increasingly targeted Israel itself with drones and missiles, resulting in retaliatory Israeli airstrikes.

KSL 5 TV Live

World News

...

Keira Fairmont and Alex Cabrero, KSL TV

Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Bridging Olympic history and future

In one year, athletes will be playing in the Winter Games in Italy, and KSL TV got a look at one of the new ski jumps that will be used.

20 hours ago

President Donald Trump, accompanied by Marc Fogel, speaks in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the W...

Chris Megerian and Eric Tucker, Associated Press

Russia releases imprisoned American Marc Fogel in what US calls a step toward the end of Ukraine war

A Pennsylvania schoolteacher who's back on American soil after his release from Russia has spoken to his wife, his two children and his 95-year-old mother.

1 day ago

The site of the 1956 Cortina Winter Olympic Games’ speed skating venue, Lake Misurina sits at 5,7...

Keira Farrimond and Alex Cabrero, KSL TV

The evolution of speed skating ice: From natural lakes to high-tech oval

How Italy's Lake Misurina, the last natural ice Olympic speed skating venue from 1956 set the stage for record-breaking performances and explore the evolution to modern artificial ice rinks like Utah's Olympic Oval, the 'Fastest Ice on Earth.

2 days ago

Pope Francis touches his eyes as he presides over a mass for the jubilee of the armed forces in St....

Nicole Winfield, Associated Press

Pope rebukes Trump administration over migrant deportations, and appears to take direct aim at Vance

Pope Francis has issued a major rebuke to the Trump administration’s mass deportation of migrants.

2 days ago

A Google map now shows the Gulf of America....

Josh Campbell, CNN

‘Gulf of America’ arrives on Google Maps

The body of water formerly known in the United States as the Gulf of Mexico is now listed for US-based users of Google Maps as the Gulf of America.

2 days ago

FILE - President Donald Trump stands with Jordan's King Abdullah II at the White House, June 25, 20...

Zeke Miller, AP White House Corespondent

Trump will host Jordan’s King Abdullah II as he escalates pressure on his Gaza resettlement plan

President Donald Trump will host Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House as he escalates pressure on the Arab nation to take in refugees from Gaza as part of his audacious plan to remake the Middle East.

2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

luxury living room with a classic white sofa and sofa, interior design...

Lighting Design

Revisiting home lighting trends for 2025

Looking for inspiration to revamp your home lighting? This article outlines some of the emerging lighting trends for 2025.

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

Two US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent ‘friendly fire’ incident, US military says