NYN | News
The United States continues to leak details of the tough situations its forces faced in the Red Sea due to strikes by the forces of Sana’a.
Captain Christopher Hill, the commander of the U.S. aircraft carrier “Eisenhower,” revealed in a podcast interview the challenges faced by aircraft carriers due to their high costs, and highlighted the unprecedented confrontations the carrier had in the Red Sea against advanced weapons belonging to the Houthis (Ansar Allah).
Hill explained that one of the main roles of aircraft carriers is deterrence, noting that after the events of October 7th, they were sent to the Middle East to prevent countries from taking reckless actions.
He added, “When any global conflict breaks out, the first question the president asks is: Where are the aircraft carriers? They are the first force to respond.”
The military leader then discussed the security operation led by the U.S. Navy in the Red Sea, describing it as one of the most complex missions since World War II. The carrier faced daily attacks that included anti-ship cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and large Houthi drones.
Hill pointed out the danger of cruise missiles flying at low altitudes near ships, making them difficult to detect, and added that his forces also faced ballistic missiles falling vertically from high altitudes, a phenomenon never seen before at sea.
He also described the Houthi drones as large, about twice the size of an ordinary car, and capable of carrying warheads that can create holes in ships.
Hill did not neglect to mention the ongoing debate within the U.S. defense industry about the high cost of aircraft carriers, which run into billions of dollars. However, he stressed that their ability to deploy quickly and provide immediate deterrence makes them a necessary investment for national security.
It is worth noting that the aircraft carrier “Eisenhower” was part of the international coalition facing the Houthis (Ansar Allah) due to their military operations supporting the Gaza Strip and their imposition of a complete blockade on Israeli ships from passing through the Red Sea.
