Breakdown: Eisenhower Strike Operations Against the Houthis

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG) has returned to the United States following a historic nine-month deployment to the Middle East, which primarily involved strike operations against the Houthis in Yemen, who have continued to target commercial shipping vessels in the region..With the return of the IKECSG, the United States Navy has released information about operations from its aviation units:."Fighting Swordsmen" Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA-32).Flew over 3,000 combat hours and executed almost 1,500 combat missions in support of Operations Inherent Resolve and Prosperity Guardian.Launched nearly 120 precision-guided air-to-surface munitions during strike operations.Launched over 20 air-to-air missiles against Houthi one-way attack drones.First American female pilot to engage and kill an air-to-air contact (Houthi drone).."Wildcats" (VFA-131).Flew over 3,200 flight hours and executed almost 2,300 combat missions while deploying over 57,000 pounds of ordnance.Intercepted dozens of one-way attack (OWA) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and Red Sea.."Gunslingers" (VFA-105).On January 12, 2024, the "Gunslingers" led the first self-defense strikes into Iranian-backed, Houthi-controlled Yemen territories along with other coalition forces, such as British fighters.From December 2023 to June 2024, the "Gunslingers" successfully intercept dozens of one-way attack (OWA) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea.First-ever naval squadron to successfully employ the AIM-9X infrared-seeking missile in combat with a direct hit against a Houthi OWA drone.Executed the first combat employment of the AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) from an F/A-18E Super Hornet and the first combat employment of the Joint Standoff Weapon-C Variant (JSOW-C).."Rampagers" (VFA-83).Flew over 3,000 combat hours and executed almost 1,000 combat missionsConducted seven pre-planned, dedicated strikes into Iranian-backed, Houthi-controlled Yemen territories.Conducted the first combat employment of the AGM-154-C1 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW).Launched the first AIM-9X sidewinder missile from a wing-mounted station..The "Zappers" Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ-130).Conducted seven pre-planned, dedicated strikes into Houthi-controlled Yemen and executed nearly 700 combat missions against the Houthis.Supported the launch of over 120 standard missiles and dozens of Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) by U.S. and coalition assets.First EA-18G "Growler" electronic warfare platform air-to-air kill against a Houthi drone.."Swamp Foxes" Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM-74)."Swamp Fox" helicopters from Gravely and IKE engaged four Houthi-employed small boats, ultimately sinking three of them, after they opened fire on the aircraft during an attack on commercial vessels on December 31, 2023.Evacuated 26 civilian mariners from the M/V Tutor, which was struck by a Houthi unmanned surface vessel (USV) and eventually sank.