First Combat Mission for F-35C Fighters as U.S. Navy Intercepts Houthi Attack in Red Sea

The U.S. Navy intercepted an assault by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels targeting American warships in the Red Sea, marking the first combat mission for the F-35C stealth fighter.

The assault, involving eight drones, five anti-ship ballistic missiles, and three cruise missiles, was directed at the USS Stockdale and USS Spruance but was countered without incident, leaving no damage or injuries.

U.S. Pentagon Press Secretary, Air Force Major General Pat Ryder, stated that both missiles and drones were shot down by U.S. defenses. The Houthis claimed responsibility, asserting they had struck the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier with cruise missiles; however, the U.S. denied any impact on the carrier.

The confrontation occurred after U.S. Navy and Air Force aircraft targeted several Houthi weapons storage sites in Yemen, which the Pentagon described as facilities containing "advanced conventional weapons" used to threaten military and civilian ships in the region. Among the U.S. aircraft deployed in the recent operations were F-35Cs, marking what is believed to be the first combat use of the C variant of the fifth-generation stealth fighter.

Footage posted by U.S. Central Command on social media showed F-35Cs launching from the USS Abraham Lincoln, demonstrating the U.S. Navy's readiness to counter maritime threats in the region.

Separately, U.S. forces conducted airstrikes against Iran-linked targets in Syria following attacks on U.S. personnel in the area, who are stationed there as part of an anti-IS coalition. Central Command Commander General Michael Eric Kurilla emphasized in a statement that further attacks against U.S. and coalition personnel "will not be tolerated," affirming the U.S. commitment to protect its forces and allies from hostile actions.