Red Sea shootdown: Did the Houthis play a role in the U.S. navy’s ‘friendly fire’?

• A US Navy F/A-18 fighter jet was shot down over the Red Sea by the USS Gettysburg, part of the same Carrier Strike Group, in what officials call an “apparent case of friendly fire.”
• CENTCOM attributes the incident to “fog of war” confusion, suggesting the jet may have been mistaken for a Houthi UAV during ongoing attacks.
• Suspicions arise due to the unprecedented nature of the incident within the same strike group and the Houthis’ immediate claim of responsibility, raising questions about the official narrative.
• The incident highlights concerns over misinformation in modern warfare, with both the US and Houthis potentially using disinformation to shape public perception.
• The investigation must explore all possibilities, including the potential that the “friendly fire” explanation is a cover story, to maintain trust in military leadership and operations.

In the early hours of Sunday, a US Navy F/A-18 fighter jet was shot down over the Red Sea in what military officials are calling an “apparent case of friendly fire.” The incident, which involved the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg mistakenly firing on the aircraft, has raised eyebrows and sparked skepticism among those concerned with national defense. While the official narrative points to a tragic but understandable mistake in the heat of battle, questions linger about whether this “friendly fire” incident could be a cover story for something more troubling.

The details of the incident, as reported by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), are straightforward: the F/A-18 had just taken off from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier when it was struck by a missile from the USS Gettysburg, part of the same Carrier Strike Group. The pilots ejected safely, with one sustaining minor injuries. CENTCOM has attributed the incident to “fog of war” confusion, citing multiple Houthi drone and missile attacks on the US battle group just prior to the shootdown. The F/A-18, they claim, may have been mistaken for an inbound Houthi UAV.

At first glance, this explanation seems plausible. The Houthis, backed by Iran, have been relentless in their attacks on US and allied forces in the region, forcing sailors to make split-second decisions under intense pressure. The US military has conducted numerous airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, and the presence of drones and cruise missiles in the area would undoubtedly create a chaotic and dangerous environment. Yet, the circumstances surrounding this incident raise legitimate concerns about whether the official story holds up under scrutiny.

For one, the timing of the incident is highly suspicious. The US Navy has been operating in the Red Sea for over a year, yet this is the first reported instance of a US fighter jet being shot down—and by a US warship, no less. Given the frequency of Houthi attacks, it is peculiar that such an error has not occurred before. Additionally, the fact that the F/A-18 was shot down just moments after taking off from the same carrier group as the USS Gettysburg strains credulity. One might expect such a mistake to occur between separate units operating in different locations, but within the same strike group? The likelihood of such a catastrophic error seems remarkably low.

Moreover, the Houthis’ immediate claim of responsibility for the shootdown adds another layer of complexity to the narrative. Within hours of the incident, the Iran-backed rebels announced that they had “foiled a US-UK attack on Yemen” and downed an F-18 fighter jet. While CENTCOM quickly dismissed this claim as false, the Houthis’ eagerness to take credit for the incident raises questions about their capabilities and intentions. Are they simply engaging in their usual propaganda tactics, or could they have had a hand in the shootdown? The Houthis have a history of making exaggerated or outright false claims about their military successes, but their rapid response suggests they may have been anticipating or even orchestrating the event.

Both parties have a history of using disinformation to promote their agenda

The broader implications of this incident cannot be ignored. If the “friendly fire” explanation is indeed a cover story, it would not be the first time the US military has obscured the truth in the interest of national security. In the past, incidents involving mistaken identity or operational failures have been downplayed or misrepresented to protect sensitive information or maintain public confidence. While this may be understandable in some cases, it also creates a dangerous precedent, eroding trust in military leadership and emboldening adversaries like the Houthis and their Iranian backers.

Furthermore, the incident highlights the growing challenge of misinformation and disinformation in modern warfare. Social media platforms have become breeding grounds for false narratives, with both sides of a conflict using them to shape public perception. The Houthis’ claim of responsibility for the shootdown, regardless of its veracity, will likely be amplified across Arabic-language media and social networks, bolstering their image as a formidable force capable of challenging US military might. This, in turn, could influence regional dynamics and encourage other actors to test US resolve in the region.

As CENTCOM conducts its investigation, it is imperative that all possible scenarios are explored, including the possibility that the “friendly fire” narrative is a cover story. While the immediate focus will be on assigning blame and preventing future incidents, the broader implications of this event demand a thorough and transparent examination. National defense depends not only on the strength of our military but also on the credibility of our leadership and the integrity of our operations. If this incident is anything other than what it appears to be, the American people deserve to know the truth.

In the meantime, the Houthis’ propaganda machine will continue to spin its web of misinformation, while US military officials work to maintain their credibility. The battle for truth in the Red Sea is as important as the battle against the Houthi rebels themselves. Let us hope that the investigation sheds light on what really happened and that the US military can learn from this incident to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

ABCNews.com

Forbes.com