The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman was reportedly undertaking evasive manoeuvres when the towed jet fell overboard

The US Navy has lost an F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet and a tow tractor after both fell overboard from the USS Harry S. Truman. The aircraft carrier, part of Washington's strike group in the Red Sea, was reportedly maneuvering to evade a missile attack from Yemen-based Houthis.

The incident occurred on Monday in the Red Sea, where the Truman Carrier Strike Group is launching bombing raids against the Yemeni rebel group. While the Navy reported that one sailor had sustained a minor injury, it did not mention a Houthi threat.

However, multiple news outlets have since cited anonymous sources linking the incident to a rebel attack. On the same day, the Houthis claimed to have launched drones and missiles targeting American forces.

The US is bombing the Houthis in retaliation for their threats to navigation in the Red Sea, targeting vessels they associate with Israel. The Houthis' claim they are responding to Israel's destruction of Gaza, which was ignited by a deadly raid conducted by the Palestinian militant group Hamas in October 2023.

READ MORE: US strikes Houthi-controlled fuel port in Yemen

Despite their imposing size, Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, measuring 333 meters in length, can execute sharp maneuvers when necessary to swiftly reposition against enemy fire. A former Navy captain informed CNN that their flight decks can tilt as much as 15 degrees during such positioning.

Last December, the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg inadvertentlyshot downan F/A-18 fighter jet that had just taken off from the USS Truman for a bombing sortie in Yemen. While both pilots were subsequently rescued reportsindicatedthat a second aircraft was also at risk during the same incident.

An F/A-18 warplane costs between $60 million and $70 million, depending on its configuration, according to Pentagon figures.

In February, the USS Harry S. Trumancollidedwith a merchant ship in the Mediterranean Sea, near Port Said, Egypt and sailed to Greece for repairs. Following the collision, Capt. Christopher Hill took over command from Capt. Dave Snowden.

(RT.com)