US Navy apparently shot down own plane over Red Sea



The U.S. Navy apparently shot down one of its own two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornets over the Red Sea on Sunday around 3 a.m. local time. Although one of the pilots was injured, U.S. Central Command indicated that both were safely rescued.

CENTCOM did not provide an indication of the American F/A-18's mission prior to being shot down; however, U.S. forces in the area have recently been conducting airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthi militants and their facilities in Yemen as well as taking out ISIS targets in Syria.

Over the weekend, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy assets reportedly shot down multiple Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile and also conducted strikes against a missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility in Sana'a, Yemen. Days earlier, CENTCOM whacked ISIS leader Abu Yusif aka Mahmud via a precision airstrike in the Dayr az Zawr province.

A Navy official told U.S Naval Institute News that the downed F-18 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing One and embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, which entered the CENTCOM area of responsibility on Dec. 14.

'Another indicator of how pathetic a state of readiness our military is in.'

USNI indicated that the crew are most likely with the Red Rippers of Strike Fighter Squadron 11 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.

The strike group, part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, is presently focused on razing Houthi military installations and protecting merchant traffic and American vessels in the southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden from attack.

CENTCOM said in a statement that the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, commanded by Alaska native Captain Justin Hodges, "mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18" fighter craft that was flying off the USS Harry S. Truman, confirming that "this incident was not the result of hostile fire."

The Associated Press suggested that earlier Houthi drone and missile attacks may have been responsible for the confusion that led to the alleged friendly fire.

Yahya Saree, a spokesman for the Houhi militants, claimed without evidence that Houthis shot down the F/A-18.

Retired Army Col. Douglas Macgregor noted, "Yes, we shot down our own plane. If this doesn't put a cap on the worst Presidency of modern history, I'm not sure what does."

"This is another indicator of how pathetic a state of readiness our military is in, especially our U.S. Navy," tweeted retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn.

According to a 2024 Government Accountability Office report, "47 of the 49 aircraft we reviewed did not meet DOD's mission capable goals." A previous GAO report noted that between 2011 and 2021, the Navy and Marine Corps F/A-18 jets under review almost always failed to meet their mission capable goal.

The Heritage Foundation concluded in its 2024 index of military strength that "as currently postured, the U.S. military is at significant risk of not being able to defend America's vital national interests."

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Here's why Ron DeSantis is​ Trump without the HUGE ego



Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is a bright light at the end of the dark political tunnel. American conservatives appear energized by DeSantis because of his ability to make detrimental political moves effectively and call out the progressive left's nonsense in a savage manner.

"Fearless" host Jason Whitlock and his guest T.J. Moe discussed what a competition for the Republican nomination might look in 2024 if DeSantis and former President Donald J. Trump go head to head.

"The dude [DeSantis] has some balls," T.J. said. He went on to say that if Trump is on the ballot, Trump will have his vote for a third time around.

T.J. made a compelling case for why DeSantis would also make a solid Republican nominee for president. "Trump was there for 4 years and didn't drain the swamp." He explained. "DeSantis would actually drain the swamp." Watch the clip to hear more from this conversation.


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'They're like F- Jason Whitlock': Jason Whitlock exchanges FRIENDLY FIRE with guest over false accusations



If you have ever been falsely accused, then you will relate to this video.

BlazeTV's Jason Whitlock of and his long-time friend and tailor Bishop Troy Jackson got into a heated conversation during the latest episode of "Fearless." According to Bishop Jackson, he recently took heat from his fraternity brothers for associating with a man they say is a Donald Trump defender. “They’re like F- Jason Whitlock. They were trying to talk me out of ever coming back on this show for life," Troy said.

In this clip from "Fearless," Jason set the record straight and asserted how rarely he uses Trump's name on his show. He also explained why he believes the frat bros are likely more agitated by the name commonly used on air — Jesus Christ, our lord and savior.

Watch the video or download the podcast.



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This theological debate about Catholic confession escalated QUICKLY



What is the purpose of the Catholic practice of confession according to the Bible? BlazeTV's Jason Whitlock of "Fearless" and his panel dug deep, and things got heated.

"Fearless" contributor Pastor Bobby points out that the Bible isn't specific about how or where people are to confess their sins. The most context is that people are to confess their sins to other disciples of Jesus. While Jason agrees, he states that the argument for Catholicism is that a Catholic priest could be that disciple.

In Matthew 3:6, the public confession of sins was part of the process when John the Baptist baptized the people. In the New Testament, the public ministry of Jesus was prepared for by John the Baptist. Confession is mentioned in other books of the New Testament as well, although confessing to a priest is written in the New or the Old Testament.

"I had a had time understanding how the Catholic Church feels justified in taking on the duty of hearing the sins of others and absolving sin." In this clip, Jason discussed the act of going to confession after watching he and his panel discerned what is biblical and what is traditional.


Historically, "a detailed confession to a bishop or priest, however, is reported to have appeared early in the church's history. In the 5th-century discipline of the Roman church, confessions began at the beginning of Lent and to reconcile the penitents on Holy Thursday in preparation for Easter." Eventually, the Fourth Lateran Council (1215) established that every Christian should confess to a priest at least once a year.

Confession, therefore, appears to be more of a tradition than a command from Jesus. Perhaps biblically, it is wise to surround yourself with people seeking God's mercy, confess regularly, and keep each other honest?

Watch the clip to learn the difference. Listen to the podcast here.

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