The US military has confirmed the inaugural combat deployment of its cutting-edge F-35C Lightning II fighter aircraft in an operation against Houthi positions in Yemen. This strategic move marks a significant milestone for the fifth-generation fighter, which was dispatched earlier this month by the US Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA). The aircraft targeted weapons storage facilities that the Houthis were using to stockpile anti-ship missiles, posing a threat to military and cargo vessels traversing the Red Sea. The F-35C was launched from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.
Lt. Col. Jeffrey Davis, commanding officer of VMFA-314, emphasized the capabilities of the F-35C, stating that it demonstrated its operational advantages by navigating contested airspace to engage targets deep within Houthi territory over several days. “My Marines are honored to be the first to fight with the F-35C,” he remarked, highlighting the pride associated with this groundbreaking engagement.
This increase in US military strikes targeting Houthi-controlled regions in Yemen follows a series of aggressive actions by the Yemeni group against shipping interests in the Red Sea. Earlier in the month, two US destroyers were attacked by Houthi drones and missiles while passing through the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait. Furthermore, in March, a deadly Houthi strike on a merchant vessel in the Red Sea resulted in the deaths of three US sailors. In response, the US military has ramped up its operations, conducting multiple overnight strikes on Houthi facilities, including those located in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.
The F-35C, initially developed for the US Navy, is the first carrier-capable stealth fighter to enter active service. It boasts advanced avionics, sophisticated sensors, and stealth capabilities, making it ideal for precision air-to-ground operations. While other variants of the F-35 have seen combat, this deployment signifies the first combat use of the F-35C variant. Capt. Gerald Tritz, commander of the Carrier Air Wing, stated that the F-35C’s offensive and defensive capabilities greatly enhance the effectiveness of the air wing’s striking capabilities. He proclaimed that the “battle-tested ‘Air Wing of the Future’ has proven itself a game-changer across all carrier air wing missions.”
The deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln and its support operations underscores the US military’s ongoing commitment to countering threats posed by Iran-backed Houthi forces in the Central Command area. The F-35C’s operational success could pave the way for its broader integration into future military strategies.
