ABOARD THE USS EISENHOWER, Red Sea – The USS Eisenhower, an aircraft carrier in the Red Sea, launched a series of joint U.S.-British strikes on Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. The strikes were in response to Houthi attacks on cargo ships in the area. The U.S. Navy is committed to protecting commercial shipping and degrading Houthi forces in the region.
Over two dozen aircraft, including Navy F/A-18 fighter jets, E/A18 Growler radar jammers, and E2 Hawkeye reconnaissance planes, as well as helicopters and tankers, were involved in the targeted strikes. The USS Gravely, a nearby destroyer, also fired Tomahawk cruise missiles at the Houthis, while the USS Mason demonstrated its ability to intercept incoming Houthi missiles.
The Navy’s operations in the Red Sea have become increasingly important as Houthi militants have attacked nearly 30 cargo ships in the area. The strategic waterway sees an estimated 12% of global shipping pass through daily, making it a critical trade route.
Despite the high adrenaline and morale among crew members on the U.S. ships, the threat of incoming drones or ballistic missiles from the Houthis looms. The U.S. Central Command reported that U.S. and U.K. forces had conducted strikes against 36 Houthi targets at 13 locations in Yemen, including underground storage facilities, command and control centers, and missile systems.
An important aspect to consider is the potential impact of continued Houthi attacks on global shipping, as it could lead to increased consumer prices in the U.S. Furthermore, the Houthi leaders dismissed the U.S. and U.K. strikes and vowed to continue their attacks until Israel ends its military operations in Gaza.
The effectiveness of the strikes on Saturday remains unclear, and experts have warned that it is unlikely for American airstrikes to destroy all of the ballistic missiles and drones supplied to Houthi forces by Iran. Nonetheless, the USS Eisenhower and its crew are prepared for future engagements with the Houthis, as they continue to patrol the Red Sea and safeguard commercial shipping in the region.