On Tuesday, a Navy fighter jet encountered difficulties during its landing on an aircraft carrier and subsequently descended into the Red Sea.

This incident marks the fourth significant occurrence involving the USS Harry S. Truman and represents the third loss of a fighter jet deployed alongside it since the warship departed from its home port last year.

The F/A-18F Super Hornet, valued at approximately $67 million, went overboard following an unsuccessful attempt to decelerate during landing, as stated by the Navy.

Fortunately, both aviators aboard the aircraft successfully ejected and were rescued at sea by helicopter, sustaining only minor injuries. Moreover, there were no casualties among personnel on the flight deck of the warship.

This latest incident follows a previous loss of another jet, an F/A-18E, which fell overboard last week while being towed in the hangar bay of the Truman.

In addition, a third fighter jet from the Truman was unintentionally shot down over the Red Sea in December by the USS Gettysburg, heightening concerns regarding communication protocols among naval vessels and aircraft operating in the area.

In February, the Truman was involved in a collision in the Mediterranean Sea, resulting in the dismissal of its commanding officer, Navy Captain Dave Snowden.

He has since been succeeded by Navy Captain Christopher Hill, who had recently completed a deployment on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Although these incidents have not resulted in fatalities, they have raised critical questions about the operational stress endured by the aircraft carrier’s crew and its capacity to sustain a demanding deployment amidst ongoing confrontations with Houthi militants in Yemen.

These militants have consistently carried out drone and missile attacks targeting vessels in the region.

Senior U.S. military leaders have taken note of these mishaps, according to a defense official who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has extended the carrier’s deployment twice since its departure from Virginia in September of the previous year.

The latest extension, granted last week, was made to ensure the availability of two aircraft carriers to counter the Houthi threat.

Since March, the Truman has been actively engaged in a comprehensive military operation ordered by President Donald Trump aimed at combating the Yemen-based militant group in response to their assaults on commercial and military vessels since late 2023.

The Biden administration commenced airstrikes against the Houthi militants in early 2024 after the group continued its aggressive campaigns. The Trump administration has characterized its efforts as insufficient, advocating for a more assertive approach.

Reports indicate that defense officials have identified the targeting of over 1,000 Houthi positions in Yemen within a span of fewer than two months.

While officials within the Trump administration have praised the airstrike campaign as a success, they have provided limited details regarding the operations.

On Tuesday, President Trump announced the cessation of airstrikes following assurances from the Houthis to halt attacks on maritime vessels. This decision was reportedly linked to an announcement from Omani officials regarding the establishment of a ceasefire.