ABOARD THE USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER - The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, consisting of 7,000 sailors, has been effectively thwarting the efforts of Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen to terrorize ships in the Red Sea. Rear Adm. Marc Miguez, commander of the group, stated that the daily airstrikes carried out by F/A-18 Super Hornets and the destroyer squadron against Houthi drones, missiles, and other capabilities have significantly reduced their activity and restricted their maneuverability.

In a recent incident, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower quickly launched two Super Hornets within four minutes after receiving intelligence that the Houthis were preparing to launch attack drones. They were soon supported by an E-2 Hawkeye command and control aircraft and two refueling tankers. U.S. Central Command reported that one aerial drone and one surface drone launched from Houthi-controlled areas were destroyed by coalition aircraft.

The efforts of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and its escorts have facilitated the safe passage of over 2,000 ships, many under military escort, through the Red Sea since January. However, there has been a notable 20% decrease in shipping compared to previous years.

Rear Adm. Miguez expressed his dedication to keeping the Houthis on edge, stating, "My job is to keep the Houthis up at night, and I routinely do that." He also expressed confidence in the ship's crew for their role in protecting him and fellow sailors.

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and its escorts were deployed to the Middle East on November 4th, following Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's orders to prevent the Israel-Hamas conflict from escalating in the region. The Houthi militants began targeting ships in the Red Sea about two weeks after their arrival. This put the strike group in an "active weapons engagement zone."

Captain Chris Hill, commander of the aircraft carrier, described the attack on a commercial ship by Houthi missiles as a wake-up call for the entire ship. Since then, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower has launched approximately 100 Super Hornets, Hawkeyes, EA-18G Growlers, and other aircraft to combat the Houthi militants continuously.

Capt. Marvin Scott, commander of Carrier Air Wing Three, highlighted the grueling pace of operations, which have kept the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower at sea for nearly five months without port calls. The sailors are committed to the mission despite the unrelenting tempo.

Captain David Wroe, commodore of Destroyer Squadron 22, emphasized the severity of the threat faced by the sailors, with Houthi attacks on U.S. destroyers occurring as often as twice a week. He compared the prolonged exposure to enemy fire to World War II, citing Houthi ballistic missiles sinking a commercial ship, damaging others, and claiming the lives of at least three sailors on another merchant vessel. The sailors have seconds to respond to these threats.

Despite the challenges, the sailors of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower remain resolute in their mission to eliminate the Houthi threat in the Red Sea and ensure the safety of ships traveling through the region. Captain Colin Price, executive officer of the Eisenhower, acknowledges the need for perfection, stating, "It's a zero-fail mission."

The efforts of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower strike group highlight the determination and resilience of the U.S. Navy in countering the Iranian-backed Houthi militants and protecting the strategic waterways of the Red Sea.