US Fighter Jet Being Shot Down by ‘Friendly Fire’ Sparks Anger [Video]

What’s New

A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet was shot down over the Red Sea on Sunday, December 22 in an apparent “friendly fire” incident involving the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, the U.S. military confirmed.

Both pilots ejected and were rescued, one with minor injuries, according to Central Command.

The incident sparked a wave of criticism from right-wing commentators on social media, who tied the mishap to broader concerns about alleged incompetencies in the U.S. military.

Newsweek has contacted the Department of Defense and Donald Trump‘s transition team via email for comment.

Why It Matters

The incident has become a rallying point for those advocating for a military overhaul with the incoming Trump administration in January.

Pete Hegseth, an ex-veteran and the president-elect’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, has previously championed these criticisms, promising to reduce the emphasis on “woke” policies in the military, according to NPR.