US Navy Aviator First American Woman to Engage and Destroy Airborne Target.

A U.S. Navy fighter pilot, whose identity remains undisclosed, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first American woman to secure an air-to-air combat victory. This significant event took place when she successfully shot down an attack drone operated by the Houthis, an Iran-backed Shia rebel group from Yemen. The drone was part of several launched by the Houthis that have targeted civilian merchant ships in the Red Sea and other areas, as a response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
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An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32, participates in an airborne change of command ceremony above the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea, April 16, 2024 (Picture source: US DoD)

Operating from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, the pilot was a member of Strike Fighter Squadron 32, nicknamed the "Fighting Swordsmen." During a nine-month deployment, the squadron undertook nearly 1,500 combat missions and logged over 3,000 flight hours, participating in operations Inherent Resolve and Prosperity Guardian. These operations focused on combating ISIS and Houthi-initiated assaults on international shipping.

In one of the missions, the pilot used an F/A-18 Super Hornet to engage and destroy the enemy drone, marking a notable moment in both her career and U.S. Navy history. Additionally, the squadron conducted defense strikes against ground targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, targeting munitions sites and command and control facilities.

Commander Jason Hoch, the squadron's commanding officer, commended his unit for their outstanding performance under highly demanding conditions, highlighting the operational effectiveness and versatility of a carrier strike group. The squadron's efforts not only demonstrated their tactical skills but also enhanced the security of critical maritime routes in the Red Sea and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, vital for international trade.

The Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea region have escalated since November, continuing the pattern set by their Iranian-backed counterparts, Hamas. At least two of these drone strikes have been fatal, with the most recent sinking a cargo ship in the Red Sea in June, resulting in one casualty as reported by the Associated Press. Another attack earlier in March in the Gulf of Aden resulted in at least three fatalities and four injuries.

This pilot's achievement reflects the evolving roles of women in the armed forces and underscores the growing integration and significance of women's contributions to U.S. military operations.