U.S. Carrier Strike Groups Pound 800 Targets in Yemen

The USS Carl Vinson and the USS Harry S. Truman are among the Navy’s premier nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.

Conflicts in the Red Sea persist with ongoing exchanges of fire between U.S. forces and Iran-supported Houthi rebels in this vital maritime area. This week, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported continued hostilities. confirmed Operation Rough Ride continues and has depended on "extensive" intelligence to dismantle the Yemen-based terrorist organization while aiming to "reduce risks for civilians." As stated in an April 27 press statement, over 800 sites linked to the Houthis have been targeted. struck Over the past six weeks, U.S. airstrikes have significantly impeded the Houthi’s activities. These attacks targeted various locations including command-and-control centers, air defense installations, weapon production sites, and unmanned surface vehicles.

As detailed in the press release, “The operation has been conducted by a robust assembly of forces to include two Carrier Strike Groups, the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group and the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group. We are extremely proud of our well-trained and professional forces as they have effectively delivered precise and lethal strikes against Houthi military capabilities.” The Harry Truman has been deployed into the CENTCOM area of operations since autumn and the Carl Vinson was sent to the area with little warning at the beginning of this year.

The Carl Vinson and Harry Truman aircraft carriers

USS Carl Vinson and USS Harry S. Truman Represent two of the Navy’s nuclear-driven vessels. Nimitz - class aircraft carriers. Often regarded as unmatched in their capabilities, these warships are heavily outfitted with fourth and fifth-generation fighter jets that carry out most of CENTCOM’s attacks. These carriers come fitted with steam catapults To assist with providing uplift for more substantial aircraft during takeoff or landing on its compact flight deck. As detailed previously, Popular Mechanics, Steam from the ship's boilers—which are driven by the vessel's nuclear reactors—is redirected beneath the flight deck, where it gets stored and pressurized inside dedicated containers. Simultaneously, the nose wheel of an incoming carrier plane is positioned on a compact, disk-like shuttle system. Once everything is set for launching, this accumulated steam pressure is swiftly discharged, providing instantaneous force that propels both the shuttle with the connected aircraft along the runway at high speed until they reach liftoff velocity.

The Boeing F/18-E/F Super Hornet has played a crucial role in thwarting Houthi-initiated attacks and conducting offensive operations in Yemen. The most recent addition Block III The Super Hornet variant is equipped with various deadly armaments. With eleven pylons located at the wingtips, along the fuselage, and beneath the wings, this aircraft can accommodate an array of short-range AIM-9 Sidewinders, Joint Standoff Weapons, AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), Small Diameter Bombs, AGM-84 Harpoons, AGM-65 Mavericks, and additional missile types.

Despite CENTCOM’s frequent strikes Targeting Houthi assets in Yemen, the designated terrorist organization continues to unleash attacks on U.S. warships. Operating from Yemen, this group is part of Iran’s "resistance axis" opposing both the United States and Israel. After Hamas carried out their mass attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, the Houthis have consistently fired missiles, drones, and various projectiles at international ships in the Red Sea, calling for an end to the conflict.

About the Author: Maya Carlin

Maya Carlin The National Security Writer for The National Interest serves as an analyst at the Center for Security Policy and previously held the position of Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. Her work has been featured in numerous outlets such as The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. Follow her on Twitter for more insights. @MayaCarlin Carlin has authored more than 1,000 articles over recent years covering a range of defense topics.

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