(Patriot.Buzz) – In a shocking revelation, the U.S. military has admitted to a catastrophic friendly fire incident in the Red Sea, where two Navy pilots were shot down by their own forces.
The incident occurred when the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired upon and hit an F/A-18 aircraft. Both pilots were fortunately recovered alive, with one sustaining minor injuries.
However, this near tragedy highlights the perilous situation in the Red Sea, where forces are constantly under threat from Houthi rebels while simultaneously battling internal communication failures.
Central Command admitted to the error, stating, “This incident was not the result of hostile fire, and a full investigation is underway.”
The friendly fire incident took place amid ongoing U.S. airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have been relentlessly targeting merchant vessels and military ships in the Red Sea since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in October 2023.
These Iranian-backed terrorists claim to target ships linked to Israel, the U.S., or the UK. Still, many of the attacked vessels have no connection to the conflict, demonstrating their blatant disregard for international law and commerce.
As if the situation were not dire enough, Prime Minister Netanyahu has stated that Israel would act forcefully against the Houthis, with discussions on potentially striking Iran directly over the attacks.
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country would act “forcefully” against the Houthis, as it has against other allies of Iran, “only in this case, we are not acting alone.”
The Houthis have even had the audacity to claim responsibility for targeting the USS Harry S. Truman and shooting down an F-18 aircraft, despite clear evidence that this was a tragic friendly fire incident.
The U.S. military’s recent airstrikes targeting a “missile storage facility” and a “command-and-control facility” in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, demonstrate the commitment to combating these terrorists.
The friendly fire incident in the Red Sea is a stark reminder of the hazards faced in military operations.
It underscores the necessity of improving communications and coordination between branches like the Army and Navy.
As CENTCOM delves into the factors leading to this incident, the hope is to prevent such errors and ensure the safety of those who serve the country.
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