US Navy Sets New Milestone with Unprecedented Airstrike Launch from Aircraft Carrier

Image Credits: US Navy/X

Earlier this year, the US Navy made headlines by executing its largest airstrike from a single aircraft carrier, dropping an impressive 125,000 pounds (62.5 tons) of munitions in Somalia.

Admiral James Kilby, the acting Chief of naval Operations, shared this facts during a talk at the Council on Foreign relations in Washington. He detailed that this meaningful operation occurred on February 1 and was spearheaded by the USS Harry S. Truman along with its strike group.

A defense official noted that 16 F/A-18 Super Hornet jets were involved in targeting ISIS fighters entrenched in Somalia. this mission was part of a broader campaign; earlier reports from US Africa Command (AFRICOM) indicated multiple airstrikes aimed at eliminating ISIS leaders hiding within cave systems—resulting in over a dozen militants neutralized.

Since January alone, there have been around 25 airstrikes focused primarily on ISIS and Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda affiliate operating in the region.

Kilby emphasized that this operation showcased AmericaS naval prowess and strategic capabilities during global missions—a clear signal of what US aircraft carriers can achieve when deployed effectively.

Meanwhile, operations against iran-backed Houthis continue relentlessly from CENTCOM forces aboard both USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).

The Harry S. Truman strike group has been active in the Middle East since late 2024 with dual objectives: combating terrorism across Africa while addressing threats emerging from the Red Sea region. Over six months of deployment saw them conduct approximately 670 strikes against Houthi militants backed by Iran and intercept around 160 drones and missiles targeting American vessels or their allies.

However, not everything went smoothly for the Truman crew. In December last year, they faced a tragic friendly fire incident where one of their own F/A-18 jets was accidentally shot down. Additionally, several aircraft were lost overboard between April and may due to operational mishaps; there was even a collision with a commercial ship mid-February that led to disciplinary action against the commanding officer.

Currently transitioning out of Red Sea operations, the strike group is participating in NATO military exercises within Mediterranean waters before heading back to Norfolk, Virginia—its homeport—after completing these drills.

References: bignewsnetwork, Stripes