Two United States Navy pilots were shot down over the Red Sea early Sunday in what the American military has described as an "apparent case of friendly fire." Both pilots were recovered alive, with one sustaining minor injuries, according to a statement from the United States Central Command (CENTCOM).

The incident occurred when the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg mistakenly fired on an F/A-18 fighter aircraft flown by the Navy pilots from the USS Harry S Truman. The F/A-18s have been deployed in the region for their ability to perform both air-to-air combat and ground-attack missions.

The USS Gettysburg (CG-64), part of the Ticonderoga-class of guided missile cruisers, plays a key role in providing air defense and supporting naval operations. Armed with advanced Aegis Combat Systems, the ship is designed to intercept threats, including missiles and aircraft, making this incident all the more alarming.

"This incident was not the result of hostile fire, and a full investigation is underway," CENTCOM said in a statement issued late Saturday local Florida time, where its headquarters is based.

The mishap highlighted the risks of the US military's ongoing mission in the Red Sea, where tensions have escalated amid repeated attacks by Yemen's Huthi rebels on merchant vessels they allege are linked to Israel.

Since the USS Harry S Truman arrived in the region, US forces have increased airstrikes targeting Houthi missile launch sites and storage facilities. On Saturday night and early Sunday, American warplanes struck Houthi-held areas, including a missile storage facility and a command-and-control site in Sanaa, Yemen's capital, as well as areas around the port city of Hodeida. These operations followed intensified Houthi missile and drone attacks on Red Sea shipping.

The Houthis, who acknowledged the downing of the F/A-18, have been responsible for targeting around 100 merchant vessels since October 2023, coinciding with the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. While the Houthis claim to focus on ships linked to Israel, the US, or the UK, many of the targeted vessels have had no apparent connection to the conflict. Their attacks have included drone and missile strikes, seizing one ship, and sinking two others, resulting in the deaths of four sailors.

The Houthis have increasingly expanded their targets to include Israel itself, with missiles and drones prompting retaliatory Israeli airstrikes. They maintain their actions are aimed at pressuring an end to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. However, their actions have indiscriminately impacted commercial and military vessels, complicating regional stability.

The US Navy's deployment in the region has drawn comparisons to some of its most intense combat operations, reminiscent of engagements seen earlier this year with the USS Dwight D Eisenhower.