Well, folks, here we go again. Another day, another head-scratcher from the folks running our military operations. This time, we’re talking about a guided missile cruiser firing on one of our own fighter jets—a mistake that you’d think only happens in poorly scripted action movies. But no, it’s real life, and this friendly-fire fiasco raises some serious questions about how things are running—or not running—within our armed forces.
According to CENTCOM, the incident occurred early Sunday when two Navy pilots had to eject over the Red Sea after their F/A-18 fighter jet was mistakenly targeted and shot down by the USS Gettysburg. Thankfully, both pilots survived with only minor injuries, but let’s not gloss over the gravity of this situation. A missile cruiser taking a potshot at a fighter jet from the same carrier strike group isn’t exactly what you’d call “coordinated warfare.”
US Navy’s guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64) accidentally shot down its own F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet assigned to the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) using a surface-to-air missile during a strike mission targeting Houthis in the Red Sea.
Both pilots were recovered… pic.twitter.com/tbH0pZBK5b
— Global Defense Agency (@Defense_GDA) December 22, 2024
Now, CENTCOM assures us this wasn’t enemy fire and is chalking it up to a “friendly fire” incident. Sure, mistakes happen—but when you’re dealing with highly advanced military hardware, multi-billion-dollar investments, and, most importantly, human lives, this kind of mistake isn’t just embarrassing—it’s dangerous. Add in the fact that this occurred shortly after U.S. forces carried out precision airstrikes on Iranian-backed Houthi targets in Yemen, and it becomes clear that operational precision might not be as “precise” as they want us to believe.
But here’s the kicker: this isn’t an isolated issue. This latest incident is just another entry in a growing list of internal military challenges. Take the deaths of Navy SEALs Christopher Chambers and Nathan Gage Ingram earlier this year, drowned during what an investigation called a preventable operation. Or how about the USS Boxer’s months-long delays due to maintenance failures? And, of course, there’s the ongoing recruitment crisis, where the Navy is now so desperate it’s lowering standards and accepting recruits without high school diplomas. Not exactly the kind of readiness and professionalism you want to project on the global stage, is it?
US Navy says they accidentally shot down their own fighter jet…. pic.twitter.com/UICwGRraWZ
— US Civil Defense News (@CaptCoronado) December 22, 2024
What’s going on here? Well, one possibility is that leadership is more focused on optics than outcomes. There’s been a lot of talk lately about “modernizing” the military—whether through diversity initiatives or flashy tech investments—but maybe, just maybe, they should get back to the basics, like making sure ships don’t accidentally shoot at planes. Radical thought, I know.
It’s also worth noting the timing here. CENTCOM just wrapped up a string of strikes in the Red Sea region in response to attacks on U.S. ships. While it’s commendable that we’re taking action against the Houthis’ aggression, this friendly-fire incident weakens the image of a robust, coordinated military response. Instead of looking like the well-oiled machine we’re supposed to be, we’re giving our adversaries a reason to laugh at us—and that’s the last thing we need when trying to project strength in the Middle East.
Look, no one is suggesting our military doesn’t face complex challenges. But the pattern of mishaps—avoidable deaths, equipment failures, and now this friendly-fire debacle—points to systemic issues that need addressing. The stakes are simply too high for these kinds of mistakes to keep happening. Whether it’s a lack of proper training, outdated policies, or just sheer incompetence at the leadership level, something needs to change—and fast.
Americans deserve better from the people tasked with defending this great nation. Our military is supposed to be the best in the world, not a punchline for late-night comedians. It’s time to clean house, refocus priorities, and ensure that when we talk about “readiness,” it’s more than just a buzzword.
