U.S. Super Hornet Shot Down Over Red Sea in Friendly Fire Incident; Aviators Safe

Two U.S. Navy aviators are safe after their F/A-18F Super Hornet was shot down by a friendly American ship by mistake, according to a late Saturday statement from U.S. Central Command.

The following is the complete statement from U.S. Central Command.

TAMPA, Fla. – Two U.S. Navy pilots ejected safely over the Red Sea during the early morning hours of December 22 when their F/A-18 fighter aircraft was shot down in an apparent case of friendly fire.

The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64), which is part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18, which was flying off the USS Harry S. Truman.

Both pilots were safely recovered. Initial assessments indicate that one of the crew members sustained minor injuries. This incident was not the result of hostile fire, and a full investigation is underway.