A U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet, valued at approximately $60 million, was lost overboard from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier while operating in the Red Sea on Monday. The incident occurred during routine aircraft handling operations in the hangar bay. The jet was being towed when the crew lost control, causing both the aircraft and its tow tractor to fall into the sea. One sailor sustained a minor injury, and the Navy has initiated an investigation into the mishap.
The USS Harry S. Truman is currently deployed in the Middle East as part of U.S. operations countering Houthi rebel attacks in Yemen. Earlier on the same day, the Houthis claimed to have launched missile and drone attacks at the carrier. A U.S. official indicated that the ship made a hard maneuver to avoid incoming fire, which contributed to the loss of the aircraft.
This incident marks the second loss of a Super Hornet for the Truman’s strike group; in December, another was accidentally shot down by the USS Gettysburg in a friendly fire incident.
The loss of the fighter jet comes at a challenging time for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who has faced scrutiny over his leadership of the Department of Defense. Reports indicate morale issues and a growing number of employee departures at the Pentagon. A recently fired chief of staff to the deputy Defense secretary revealed troubling claims about Hegseth’s leadership, portraying a culture of paranoia, internal strife, and prioritization of public image over defense responsibilities.
Despite internal concerns, President Donald Trump has continued to publicly back Hegseth. However, reports suggest the White House has quietly started exploring possible replacements.
