The US military has announced the first official combat use of its F-35C Lightning II fighter aircraft, targeting Houthi positions in Yemen.
The fifth-generation aircraft was deployed by the US Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) earlier this month to strike weapons storage facilities, which housed anti-ship missiles used to target military and cargo vessels in the Red Sea.
The fighter jet was launched from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.
“The F-35C demonstrated its warfighting advantage by transiting contested airspace and striking targets in the heart of Houthi territory over multiple days,” VMFA-314 commanding officer Lt. Col. Jeffrey Davis said.
“My Marines are honored to be first to fight with the F-35C.”
Intensifying Attacks
The escalating US strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen are a direct response to the group’s ongoing attacks on Red Sea shipping.
Earlier this month, two US destroyers were targeted with Houthi drones and missiles while transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
In March, three sailors were killed in a Houthi strike on a Red Sea merchant ship.
Since then, the US military has conducted numerous overnight strikes on Houthi facilities, including those in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa.
About the F-35C
Developed originally for the US Navy, the F-35C is the first carrier-capable stealth fighter aircraft to enter service.
It features an advanced avionics suite, sensors, and stealth technology, enabling it to perform precise air-to-ground strikes.
While the other F-35 variants have been involved in real-world combat, this marks the first combat deployment for the F-35C.
“The offensive and defensive capabilities of the F-35C absolutely enhance our air wing’s striking arm,” Carrier Air Wing commander Capt. Gerald Tritz said. “The now battle-tested ‘Air Wing of the Future’ has proven itself a game-changer across all carrier air wing missions.”
Aircraft from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) support operations against Iran-backed Houthis in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. pic.twitter.com/8Y4yqsAepd
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 12, 2024
