Post by account_disabled on Feb 17, 2024 23:28:36 GMT -8
ABOARD USS EISENHOWER in the Red Sea — For the pilots aboard this nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the effort to safeguard commercial shipping in the Red Sea requires them to adapt their high-tech training to an unexpected and potentially disconcerting new mission. . . "We did not train to come south of the Red Sea and do what we are currently doing," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Travis Keating, pilot of the F/A-18 Super Hornet. "When we first got here, we had a lot of unknowns." Keating, who uses the call sign "Sunshine," struck an optimistic tone when asked about the pilots' daunting goal: locating and destroying hidden weapons depots in Houthi-controlled Yemen, a country famous for its rugged terrain. mountainous. "We are able to adapt and adapt to mission sets as they are assigned to us," said Keating, who is also the squadron's training officer. "And that to me is probably the best thing we've seen here." On Saturday night, more than two dozen F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters and support aircraft flew from Eisenhower to participate in a joint US-UK mission to attack Iranian-supplied ballistic missiles and drones that Houthi forces have used it to attack 30 cargo ships in the Red Sea since November 19. Along with the airstrikes, US destroyers accompanying the aircraft carrier fired Tomahawk missiles at Houthi targets on the coast.
NBC News is the only news organization integrated with US naval forces in the Red Sea as they try to reduce Houthi attacks. In total, the United States and the United Kingdom struck 36 Houthi targets in 13 locations in Yemen, American officials said. Despite the US-led airstrikes, Houthi militants in Yemen issued defiant statements on Saturday and Sunday, vowing to continue their attacks in the Red Sea until Israel stops its military campaign against Hamas in America Mobile Number List the Gaza Strip. Navy Capt. Marvin Scott, commander of Carrier Air Wing Three, said in an interview that “we are constantly planning.” Captain Marvin. J Scott Captain Marvin Scott. Courtesy of Captain Marvin. Scott via US Navy “We plan for all types of contingencies as we develop military objectives throughout Iran-backed, Houthi-controlled Yemen,” Scott said. "We are constantly looking for ways to offer our civilian leaders options to degrade their capacity." Scott, who has years of experience as a fighter pilot, said the airstrikes carried out on Saturday in Yemen were effective. "Yes, I would say last night's mission was a success," he said. "We destroyed all the targets we were trying to attack." On the one hand, the mission of Keating, Scott and other American pilots is not new.
In those cases, fighter jets frequently worked with U.S. troops or other partners on the ground to help identify targets. Keating and other pilots lack that kind of support in the Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen. It is not yet clear whether the intensification of airstrikes will quell Houthi attacks on commercial cargo ships. Military analysts say the Houthis, who fought for years against a Saudi-led coalition, are experts at resisting airstrikes. Last year, the Saudis, unable to completely defeat the Houthis, agreed to peace talks. Houthi attacks with Iranian-supplied missiles and drones have forced Maersk and other shipping companies to divert ships to longer, more expensive routes. Around 12% of global shipping passes through this strategic waterway daily; and strikes pose a growing threat to supply chains and could lead to higher consumer prices. American pilots also have other tasks: defending the Navy flotilla in the Red Sea from attacks by anti-ship missiles or Houthi drones, assisting threatened commercial ships and flying over the area to demonstrate that the Red Sea is safe for civilian shipping. "We will be in the air and then, if tasked, we will change our position to protect ships in distress if requested," Keating said.
NBC News is the only news organization integrated with US naval forces in the Red Sea as they try to reduce Houthi attacks. In total, the United States and the United Kingdom struck 36 Houthi targets in 13 locations in Yemen, American officials said. Despite the US-led airstrikes, Houthi militants in Yemen issued defiant statements on Saturday and Sunday, vowing to continue their attacks in the Red Sea until Israel stops its military campaign against Hamas in America Mobile Number List the Gaza Strip. Navy Capt. Marvin Scott, commander of Carrier Air Wing Three, said in an interview that “we are constantly planning.” Captain Marvin. J Scott Captain Marvin Scott. Courtesy of Captain Marvin. Scott via US Navy “We plan for all types of contingencies as we develop military objectives throughout Iran-backed, Houthi-controlled Yemen,” Scott said. "We are constantly looking for ways to offer our civilian leaders options to degrade their capacity." Scott, who has years of experience as a fighter pilot, said the airstrikes carried out on Saturday in Yemen were effective. "Yes, I would say last night's mission was a success," he said. "We destroyed all the targets we were trying to attack." On the one hand, the mission of Keating, Scott and other American pilots is not new.
In those cases, fighter jets frequently worked with U.S. troops or other partners on the ground to help identify targets. Keating and other pilots lack that kind of support in the Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen. It is not yet clear whether the intensification of airstrikes will quell Houthi attacks on commercial cargo ships. Military analysts say the Houthis, who fought for years against a Saudi-led coalition, are experts at resisting airstrikes. Last year, the Saudis, unable to completely defeat the Houthis, agreed to peace talks. Houthi attacks with Iranian-supplied missiles and drones have forced Maersk and other shipping companies to divert ships to longer, more expensive routes. Around 12% of global shipping passes through this strategic waterway daily; and strikes pose a growing threat to supply chains and could lead to higher consumer prices. American pilots also have other tasks: defending the Navy flotilla in the Red Sea from attacks by anti-ship missiles or Houthi drones, assisting threatened commercial ships and flying over the area to demonstrate that the Red Sea is safe for civilian shipping. "We will be in the air and then, if tasked, we will change our position to protect ships in distress if requested," Keating said.