Frequent Losses of F/A-18 Jets Raise Concerns
The USS Harry S. Truman has lost three F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets in just over a week, with the incidents occurring during landing or towing operations. The losses have raised concerns about the safety and reliability of the aircraft carrier's operations, particularly during its deployment in the Red Sea.
A US F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet assigned to the USS Harry S. Truman has gone missing in the Red Sea for the third time in just over a week, raising concerns about the safety and reliability of the aircraft carrier's operations. The incident occurred on May 7, 2025, when the jet was attempting to land on the flight deck of the Truman and an arrestment failed, causing the aircraft to go overboard.
Both pilots on board ejected safely and were rescued by a helicopter, suffering minor injuries. This is the third incident in a week, with similar incidents occurring on April 28, 2025, and May 7, 2025, when Super Hornets were lost due to various reasons. The Truman Carrier Strike Group has experienced several serious incidents since its deployment to the Middle East in September 2024, including the loss of an F/A-18 in December and a collision with a merchant vessel in February.
The incident comes as the Iranian-backed Houthis have agreed to a deal to halt their attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea, following a US statement that the US would stop bombing the Houthis after they "capitulated." The loss of the jet is under investigation, and it is unclear whether it is related to a separate incident where the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group reportedly took a shot at the Truman on Tuesday.
The frequent losses of F/A-18 jets raise concerns about the safety and reliability of the USS Harry S. Truman's operations, particularly during its deployment in the Red Sea. The incidents highlight the need for a thorough investigation and review of the aircraft carrier's procedures to prevent such losses in the future.