US F/A-18 Super Hornet shot down

[FullAuto]

We launched an F/A-18 off a carrier and it was immediately shot down by a guided missile cruiser in the carrier group. Both pilots ejected and were recovered alive. I think someone's getting a demotion or maybe losing their command over this one.

https://apnews.com/article/mideast-wars-yemen-us-navy-pilots-houthi-95a792daae3b0120186bfc6c66e1b6fe

 

[Snattlerake]

Ooopsies.

 

[Slim Deal]

Typical Government Deal.

 

[RickN]

Happens with every military and a lot more often than most people know. Usually a canon cocker gets a setting wrong and drops the shells on his own troops, but their have been a lot of planes show down by their AA too. In fact at the start of the German invasion of Poland, the only advanced Fighter Poland has was shot down by Polish AA that thought it was a German plane.

 

[RockHopper]

A mistake like that can certainly end a career, but at least no one has to live with having ended the lives of team mates. That in itself is some kind of Christmas miracle. I wonder..between the missile and the plane, how much $$ splashed down?

 

[OK Corgi Rancher]

Well that just sucks...

 

[trbii]

Sounds like the Houthis’ had some Iranian/Russian/Chinese gifted “help”. Missiles, spy Satellite targeting? Glad to hear our pilots survived, were recovered.

 

[trbii]

Just backed up, read the article linked. Friendly fire? Like the Phalanx? Radar targeted 20 MM six barreled chain gun? Mini gun? Normally shut off when launching jets off of the ship?

 

[C_Hallbert]

…..or, perhaps it is unwise to allow Mohammedans born in the Middle East to serve in our military forces……

 

[SoonerP226]

Just backed up, read the article linked. Friendly fire? Like the Phalanx? Radar targeted 20 MM six barreled chain gun? Mini gun? Normally shut off when launching jets off of the ship?

It was shot by a cruiser, not the carrier, and reportedly by a missile, not guns.