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An American F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet and aircraft tow tractor have been lost overboard during operations on USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier near Bahrain.
The fighter jet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 136, reportedly fell into the Red Sea during an incident on the aircraft carrier on 28 April.
USS Harry S Truman is part of the Truman Carrier Strike Group, including nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing 1, three guided-missile destroyers of Destroyer Squadron 28 and the Ticonderoga Class cruiser, USS Gettysburg. The group is assigned to the Middle East under naval trade protection duties.
One sailor sustained a minor injury during the incident, according to the US Navy.
“The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft and tow tractor were lost overboard,” an official statement said.
“Sailors towing the aircraft took immediate action to move clear of the aircraft before it fell overboard. An investigation is underway.
“The Harry S Truman Carrier Strike Group and embarked air wing remain fully mission capable.”
International media is reporting that the vehicles were allegedly lost during a hard turn made by the aircraft carrier to avoid drone and missile fire from Houthi rebel forces.
