Cruiser Crew Using New Systems for First Time Likely Launched ‘Friendly Fire’ Attacks in Red Sea

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

Recently-arrived USS Gettysburg, after a nine-year overhaul that included $600 million anti-aircraft upgrade, downed a Navy FA/18 on Dec. 21.

The crew of the USS Gettysburg was using a newly upgraded $600 million anti-aircraft system for the first time in live action when they mistakenly targeted two U.S. Navy FA/18 Hornets on Dec. 21 off the coast of Yemen, forcing the crew of one to eject into the Red Sea.

Gettysburg, a 33-year-old Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, arrived in the Red Sea on Dec. 17 as part of the Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier battlegroup after departing Norfolk, Virginia, in September.

On Dec. 21—as Houthis launched drone and missile attacks on military ships and commercial shipping in the Red Sea—the crew engaged its AN/SPY-1B multifunction air defense radar, new AN/SPQ-9B radar, and modified Mk 41 Vertical Launch System installed during a nine-year-long modernization period. The work was completed in June; three months before the cruiser was deployed.

On the night of the “friendly fire” incident, U.S. Central Command said in a statement on X its “forces conducted precision airstrikes against a missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility operated by Iran-backed Houthis within Houthi-controlled territory in Sana’a, Yemen, on Dec. 21 Yemen time.”

“The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64), which is part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18, which was flying off the USS Harry S. Truman,” U.S. Central Command said in a Dec. 21 statement.

“Both pilots were safely recovered. Initial assessments indicate that one of the crew members sustained minor injuries,” CentCom concluded. “This incident was not the result of hostile fire, and a full investigation is underway.”

It wasn’t until several days later on Dec. 24 that CentCom confirmed Fox News’ reporting that a second Hornet off the Truman narrowly missed being shot down by a surface-to-air missile mistakenly shot by Gettysburg’s crew.

The source who told Fox News about the second mistaken SAM launch by the same ship said there is anger in the fleet about the training Gettysburg crewmen received in less than three months since being commissioned and questions about the $10 billion Ticonderoga modernization program.

By John Haughey

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

ChatGPT Goes Biblical about End Times!

There are some truly outstanding internet content creators, or...

Bangkok Indians: ‘You Are Lucky Man’

In Bangkok, friendly prostitutes outside “massage” shops tell me I’m “so handsome man.” Indian men prowling those streets tell me I’m “lucky man.”

Epstein’s Niece Exposes the Illuminati!

There is a shocking interview by the podcaster Shaun Attwood, an English former ecstasy trafficker turned YouTube podcaster, speaker, activist, and author.

When Gynocrats Attack: Innocent Locker Room Talk Interrupted By Rabid Karen

The question posed: “Who do you think has a...

Obama’s Treason is a Betrayal of American Democracy and Demands Real Accountability

Few scandals have cast a longer shadow than the 2016 Russia investigation—the manufactured crisis by President Obama designed to cripple Trump's presidency.

Trumps America: Welp… that backfired.

The official @TheDemocrats account posted chart with the caption “Trump’s America” — but didn’t seem to notice how their own graph actually works.

Education Department to Release Billions in Withheld Grant Money for Schools

Dept. of Education said OMB completed a review of 2025 public education allocations “and will begin dispersing funds to the states next week.”

Judge Maintains Nationwide Block on Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order

A federal judge in Massachusetts has maintained his nationwide block on President Donald Trump’s policy restricting birthright citizenship.

COVID-19 Pandemic Accelerated Brain Aging Even in People Who Didn’t Get Virus: Study

Brain aging appears to have accelerated by months during COVID-19 pandemic, even in people who did not get sick from the virus, according to study.

Ex-DOJ Officials File Lawsuit Against Bondi Over Terminations

Former DOJ officials filed lawsuit against AG Bondi and the fed. govt, saying they were terminated for work on cases related to Jan. 6 Capitol breach.

Odds of U.S.-EU Trade Deal Are 50–50 Ahead of Tariff Deadline: Trump

President Donald Trump said there’s a 50–50 chance that the United States will finalize a trade deal with the European Union before an Aug. 1 deadline.

Trump Pulls Habba’s Nomination for New Jersey’s Top Prosecutor, Making Her Acting US Attorney

President Trump withdrew his nomination of Alina Habba to serve as NJ’s top federal prosecutor, making her Acting US Attorney.

Trump Says He Wants Musk’s Companies to ‘Thrive Like Never Before’

On Thursday, President Trump said, “I want Elon, and all businesses within our Country, to THRIVE, in fact, THRIVE like never before!”
spot_img

Related Articles