Houthis force USS Truman maneuver, F/A‑18E lost at sea
Houthis responded to the American airstrikes with an attack on the aircraft carrier USS "Harry S. Truman." Although the American vessel was not directly hit, Yemeni fighters can claim a measure of success – as a result of their actions, the Americans lost an F/A-18E Super Hornet multirole aircraft.
The American aircraft carrier USS "Harry S. Truman", after participating in NATO maneuvers in the North Sea, has been conducting operations in the Middle East since the fall of 2024. These include missions related to attacks on the Houthis and ensuring safe navigation in the Red Sea.
While the carrier's air group effectively targets Yemeni fighters, the Americans have also faced setbacks. The first was the accidental downing by the American Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, the USS "Gettysburg," of one of the F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft.
Later, in February 2025, the carrier collided in the Mediterranean Sea with a commercial ship, causing minor damage. However, the latest incident proved to have far more serious consequences.
The Houthis had attempted attacks on American vessels multiple times before, but until now, they had been unsuccessful. On April 28, the situation changed.
Loss of an F/A-18E Super Hornet
The target of the attack was the aircraft carrier USS "Harry S. Truman". According to the analysis by Defence 24, the threat was likely not detected or neutralized in time by the ships protecting the carrier.
As a result, the vessel was forced to maneuver sharply, and its deck was not adequately prepared for these maneuvers. The nuclear-powered carrier, capable of speeds over 35 mph, can incline significantly during high-speed turns, which likely occurred during the Houthis' attack.
Consequently, an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the VFA-136 Knighthawks squadron, which was being towed on the deck at the time, along with the tractor pulling it, went overboard and sank. Although the aircraft was not destroyed in direct combat, its loss is attributed to the Houthis' actions, for whom bringing down a $60 million plane is undoubtedly a success.
