Ethics in Aviation: Friendly Fire

 

 Ethics in Aviation: Friendly Fire

    June 02, 2025


    Did you hear about the F/A-18 that was shot down by their own guided missile cruiser?  The early morning of Dec 22nd, 2024 two pilots safely ejected after their F/A-18 was shot down by the USS Gettysburg. Mind you this F/A18 was launched from our very own aircraft carrier, the USS Harry S. Truman.  What could have caused something so dangerous?  Between maintenance ground crew, shipmates, and the pilots, there was a lack of accountability.  Whether the ships interrogator was functioning properly or the jets IFF transponder was functioning properly is still to be determined.  Is it ethical to send a pilot out on a flight, knowing there is a discrepancy with their IFF (identification friend or foe)?  As an avionics maintainer, firsthand that is a no-go.  Those pilots were lucky enough to safely eject.  Who is going to be held accountable for this mishap?  


The following is the complete statement from U.S. Central Command.


"TAMPA, Fla. – Two U.S. Navy pilots ejected safely over the Red Sea during the early morning hours of December 22 when their F/A-18 fighter aircraft was shot down in an apparent case of friendly fire.

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.

Both pilots were safely recovered. Initial assessments indicate that one of the crew members sustained minor injuries. This incident was not the result of hostile fire, and a full investigation is underway." (Sam Lagrone, 2024)

    In conclusion, the aviation field can be very dangerous if people are not performing tasks the right way.  Ethically, we need to hold one another accountable, whether you are a maintainer, shipmate, ATC, or a pilot.  This investigation is still under-going.  It is going to be very interesting to see what comes of it.  


References

Sam Lagrone (2024, December 21) "U.S. Super Hornet Shot Down Over Red Sea in Friendly Fire Incident; Aviators Safe" https://news.usni.org/2024/12/21/u-s-super-hornet-shot-down-over-red-sea-in-friendly-fire-incident-aviators-safe




 


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