Impressive, NOT – as they have to point out that a ‘female’ fighter pilot beat a drone. WOW, we are all impressed.
A US Navy fighter pilot has made history by becoming the first American woman to score a victory in air-to-air combat. This milestone was achieved by the unnamed pilot flying an F/A-18 Super Hornet from the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, as part of Strike Fighter Squadron 32, known as the “Flying Swordsmen.”
Houthis off the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D Eisenhower
Navy aviator scores first air-to-air victory by a US female fighter pilot https://t.co/ffZxONTJuh
— margaret (@Margrz) July 22, 2024
The historic aerial victory was against a Houthi attack drone, which was one of many launched by the Yemen-based group targeting civilian merchant ships in the Red Sea in response to the conflict in Gaza. The squadron has amassed over 3,000 combat hours across nearly 1,500 missions under operations targeting ISIS and responding to Houthi attacks on international shipping.
The squadron fired more than 20 air-to-air missiles against the Houthi drones during these missions. This achievement comes 30 years after Lt. Kara Hultgreen became the first carrier-based female fighter pilot in the Navy, highlighting the progress of female aviators in the military.
🎲 Navy aviator scores first air-to-air victory by a US female fighter pilot
📝 #Navy #USNavy #Veterans #USN #NavyChiefhttps://t.co/72W5ouvcX2— Navy Advancement (@NavyAdvancement) July 22, 2024
The Eisenhower-led carrier strike group, which included the guided missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea and the destroyers USS Mason and USS Gravely, returned to US bases after a nine-month deployment. This extended deployment period involved the group hitting over 460 Houthi targets in Yemen, with a significant number of missiles and air-to-surface weapons fired.
🌐 “Operation Noble Eagle–Pacific: Integrated Air and Missile Defense for America’s Pacific Homeland” by CAPT Joshua Taylor, US Navy.https://t.co/t8iJuJLUyv#IndoPacific #Defense #Strategy #HomelandDefense #INDOPACOM #Guam @HQAirUniversity
— Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs (@Journal_INDOPAC) July 22, 2024
The Houthis, an Iran-backed Shia rebel group, have been targeting Red Sea shipping and Israel with drones and missiles as retaliation for the conflict in Gaza. In response, the US and the UK have carried out strikes on Houthi targets, and Israel recently conducted its first strike in Yemen following a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv.
Key Points:
- A US Navy female fighter pilot achieved the first American woman’s air-to-air combat victory, downing a Houthi drone.
- The milestone occurred during missions from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower against Houthi targets in the Red Sea.
- This victory marks a significant achievement, 30 years after Lt. Kara Hultgreen became the first female carrier-based fighter pilot.
- The Eisenhower strike group hit over 460 Houthi targets and used a substantial number of missiles and air-to-surface weapons.
- The Houthis have escalated attacks in response to the Gaza conflict, leading to retaliatory strikes by the US, UK, and Israel.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
