The Perch

of note: this is the second aircraft that the Harry S Truman has lost this deployment, the first one being the infamous F/A-18F from the “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, was shot down by the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysberg back in December of last year Same carrier whose Captain was fired a few months ago for colliding with a freighter near Egypt.  Saw this assessment on Twitter: "Houthis have now managed to indirectly put two F/A-18s in the drink without an air force" Brutal.

F/A-18E and Tow Tractor Lost at Sea During Operations Aboard USS Truman USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) lost an F/A-18E Super Hornet along with a tow tractor. All personnel have been accounted for, and one Sailor suffered a minor injury. While operating in the Red Sea on April 28, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) lost an F/A-18E Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136 along with a tow tractor. All personnel have been accounted for, and one Sailor suffered a minor injury. According to a press release by the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18E was being towed in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft, resulting in both the Super Hornet and the tow tractor going overboard. Sailors involved in the tow operation quickly moved clear of the area before the aircraft fell into the sea. An investigation into the incident is currently underway. The loss of the $60 million jet raises questions about carrier vulnerabilities and may push the U.S. to rethink naval defense strategies against such threats.

Brazilian Gripen E (designated as F-39E) leading an F-5 (right) and AMX (left) during CRUZEX 2024. Note how all three jets have very similar intakes.

T-50 firing AGM-65G Maverick.