NORFOLK, Va. — Sailors aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower are receiving praise after F/A-18s deployed from the carrier strike group shot down several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on Friday.
In a release on Saturday, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced seven UAVS over the Red Sea were brought down via the Eisenhower CSG and the USS Laboon (DDG 58).
"The Sailors of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and Carrier Strike Group 2 demonstrate that we are always ready," the U.S. Fleet Forces Command wrote on Instagram. "They stand proudly together, ever guarding against the hostile actors of the world, making it clearly understood that today is the absolute wrong day to challenge us. A combat-credible U.S. Navy - forward-deployed, postured to respond, and integrated with all elements of national power - remains the nation‘s most potent, flexible, and versatile instrument of national influence."
This was among several strikes launched against UAVs on Friday.
Earlier in the day, officials said the USS Carney (DDG 64) shot down a single UAV over the Gulf of Aden.
Then at around 4:40 p.m., CENTCOM said forces deployed "self-defense" strikes against UAVS that were prepared to launch from the Houthi-controlled area of Yemen. Officials said those devices were determined to be "an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region."
CENTCOM said no injuries or damage occurred during Friday's strikes.
Over the past month, U.S. forces have conducted several strikes against Houthi rebels who officials say have attacked commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
The U.S. Department of State claims the Houthi attacks are disrupting global trade as the Red Sea remains one of the primary trade routes.