Janice R. Andrews
A female fighter pilot has made history for the U.S. Navy by being the first female American to win an air-to-air combat battle. This historic event was declared by the Navy, highlighting a major turning point in military aviation.
Operating out of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, the unidentified pilot, a member of Strike Fighter Squadron 32 (VFA-32), also referred to as the “Flying Swordsmen,” accomplished this accomplishment while piloting an F/A-18 Super Hornet. This was achieved in the unstable Red Sea region against a Houthi assault drone. Operating out of Yemen, the Houthi organization has repeatedly attacked civilian commerce ships as payback for the ongoing fighting in Gaza.
Specifics of the Engagement
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is a member of Carrier Strike Group 2, which has disclosed information regarding the encounter. Under Inherent Resolve and Prosperity Guardian, the squadron has played a crucial role in executing operations aimed at opposing ISIS and addressing threats to international shipping spearheaded by the Houthi group, respectively.
Over the course of almost 1,500 missions, the Swordsmen racked up over 3,000 battle hours. In order to neutralize the Houthi drones, VFA-32 launched more than 20 air-to-air missiles during these operations. The female pilot made history on one of these missions when she engaged and destroyed an enemy drone.
Historical Background and Implementation Accomplishments
This accomplishment occurs thirty years after Lt. Kara Hultgreen, flying an F-14 Tomcat from the USS Abraham Lincoln, became the first female carrier-based fighter pilot in the Navy. This air-to-air victory is evidence of the expanding presence and capability of female aviators in the Navy, which has advanced significantly since 1994.
VFA-32’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Jason Hoch, praised the squadron’s performance amid difficult circumstances. He emphasized the squadron’s dual role in air-to-air combat and ground operations, pointing out that it led two of the seven strikes against ground targets held by the Houthis, resulting in the destruction of ammunition and command and control centers.
The Entire Effect of Carrier Strike Group 2
After a nine-month cruise, the USS Philippine Sea, USS Mason, and USS Gravely, which comprised the Eisenhower-led carrier strike group, returned to U.S. bases on July 14. Using a combination of 155 conventional missiles, 135 Tomahawk land-attack missiles, 60 air-to-air missiles, and 420 air-to-surface weapons, the group targeted over 460 Houthi targets in Yemen during this time.
Houthi Conflict’s Context
With Iran’s support, the Houthis hold a sizable section of Yemen. The nation is among the poorest in the Middle East as a result of the civil war that devastated the nation. In retaliation for the battle in Gaza, the Houthis have launched drones and missiles at Red Sea ships as well as Israel.
In retaliation, attacks against Houthi locations in Yemen have been carried out by the US and the UK. Israel has also launched an airstrike inside Yemen in response to a Houthi drone attack that claimed Tel Aviv’s life.
An Innovative Accomplishment
An important turning point in the history of military aviation was reached by this American female fighter pilot’s air-to-air win. It highlights the U.S. Navy’s vital capabilities and readiness to confront new threats, as well as the changing role of women in battle. This win marks a milestone in the Navy’s illustrious history of aerial combat as it continues to adapt and respond to global threats.
