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Reports indicate the USS Harry S. Truman was performing evasive actions when the jet and tow tractor went overboard.
A US Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet and a tow tractor were lost at sea after falling from the deck of the USS Harry S. Truman. The carrier, part of a US Navy strike group in the Red Sea, was supposedly maneuvering to avoid a missile strike from Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The incident took place in the Red Sea on Monday, where the Truman Carrier Strike Group is conducting bombing raids against the Yemeni rebel group. The Navy acknowledged a minor injury to a sailor but made no mention of a Houthi threat.
However, numerous news sources, citing unnamed sources, are suggesting the incident was related to a Houthi attack. On the same day, the Houthis claimed responsibility for launching drones and missiles aimed at American forces.
The US is currently bombing Houthi targets in response to their threats against Red Sea shipping, particularly vessels perceived to be linked to Israel. The Houthis claim their actions are in retaliation for Israel’s assault on Gaza, which began after a deadly attack by Hamas militants in October 2023.
Despite their substantial size – 333 meters in length – Nimitz-class aircraft carriers are capable of rapid, sharp maneuvers to evade enemy fire. A former Navy captain told CNN that the flight decks can tilt up to 15 degrees during these maneuvers.
Here’s what aircraft carrier evasive maneuvers look like…
— Jeffrey Dronenburg (@Jeff_Dronenburg)
Last December, the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg accidentally struck an F/A-18 fighter jet that had just launched from the USS Truman for a bombing run in Yemen. While both pilots were rescued, reports indicated a second aircraft was also endangered during the same event.
According to Pentagon estimates, an F/A-18 warplane costs between $60 million and $70 million, depending on its specifications.
In February, the USS Harry S. Truman collided with a merchant vessel in the Mediterranean Sea near Port Said, Egypt, and subsequently sailed to Greece for repairs. Following the collision, Capt. Christopher Hill relieved Capt. Dave Snowden of his command.