U.S. Central Command confirmed that major strikes were carried out late Friday against Houthi command-and-control centers and missile storage facilities in western Yemen.
The operation involved a mix of U.S. Air Force and Navy assets, including F/A-18E Super Hornets from Carrier Air Wing 1 aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, which is operating in the Red Sea.
Footage released by the Pentagon showed an E-2D Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126, alongside F/A-18 Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers, launching from the USS Harry S. Truman as part of the strike package.
In a statement, U.S. Central Command described the strikes as targeting critical Houthi infrastructure used to coordinate missile operations and store weaponry. “These precision strikes were intended to degrade Houthi capabilities that threaten regional stability and international waterways,” the statement read.
CENTCOM Conducts Airstrikes Against Iran-Backed Houthi Missile Storage and Command/Control Facilities in Yemen
TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted precision airstrikes against a missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility operated by… pic.twitter.com/YRWWQJIweP
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 21, 2024
However, the operation was marred by a friendly fire incident early Saturday morning. Central Command announced that a U.S. Navy F/A-18 fighter aircraft was mistakenly shot down by the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, part of the Truman Carrier Strike Group.
“Two U.S. Navy pilots ejected safely over the Red Sea when their F/A-18 fighter aircraft was hit in an apparent case of friendly fire,” CENTCOM stated. “Both pilots were recovered, with one sustaining minor injuries.”
The incident, attributed to a misidentification by the USS Gettysburg’s systems, is under investigation.
The strikes against Houthi targets are part of a broader U.S. strategy to counter threats posed by the Iran-aligned group, which has increased its missile and drone attacks targeting international shipping lanes and U.S. regional partners.
The USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, currently deployed in the Red Sea, plays a critical role in the U.S. Navy’s presence in the region. Its assets, including the F/A-18E Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers, provide air superiority and electronic warfare capabilities essential for operations in contested environments.
While the friendly fire incident raises concerns about operational coordination, defense analysts suggest it underscores the complexity of high-tempo operations in regions with multiple active threats and overlapping airspaces.