One interesting observation that both pilots shared from their Red Sea deployment was that the Navy relied heavily on the F/A-18’s ability to refuel other aircraft to enhance mission endurance.
In 2023—shortly after the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip—the Houthi rebels in Yemen began to attack commercial shipping passing through the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb. A large portion of international maritime traffic passes through the region, affecting U.S. commercial interests. The U.S. military responded by deploying several warships, including two aircraft carrier battle groups, in the region. Other NATO countries have also contributed warships.
In a recent visit to Boeing—which manufactures the F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler jets used in anti-Houthi operations—two naval aviators who led the air war against the Houthis provided some valuable insight on the performance of their aircraft, as well as the threats of an evolving battlefield.
Capt. Marvin J. Scott, the commanding officer of Carrier Air Wing Three, and Capt. James D. Huddleston, the deputy commanding officer of Carrier Air Wing Three, led the air fight against the Houthis during their deployment aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier in the Red Sea.
Drones, Aerial Refueling, and Other Threats
During the anti-Houthi deployment, F/A-18 Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers each engaged and, for the first time, shot down unmanned aerial systems. The Houthis rely on a combination of suicide drones and anti-ship missiles to target and attack commercial shipping in the region and the warships that are there for protection.
Making the battlefield more complex was the fact that the Houthis have been receiving targeting data from Russia and allegedly China, giving the Yemeni rebels a sophistication that they would not have been able to achieve on their own.
“It was the most austere and nascent environment I’ve ever entered—constant evolution and innovation were key,” Scott said about the recurrent suicide drone attacks against the backdrop of limited intelligence throughout their deployment.
Both pilots have thousands of hours of flying fighter jets under their belts, and they have also served as instructors in the famous United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program, popularly known as “Top Gun.”
“In a very challenging situation, we had to evolve how and when we flew. The Super Hornet’s capabilities continued to evolve even as we were deployed. It made the difference between being able to defend something or not,” Huddleston added.
One interesting observation that both pilots shared from the deployment was that the Navy relied heavily on the F/A-18’s ability to refuel other aircraft to enhance mission endurance. Usually, fighter jets will flock to an aerial tanker to get fuel mid-flight and continue on with their mission. But these aerial tankers cannot take off from aircraft carriers, meaning that a U.S. air base must be in range for them to be effective. Some fighter jets, such as the F/A-18 Super Hornet, have the ability to refuel other aircraft too, and can be used more flexibly (though they obviously carry less fuel).
Electronic Warfare Over the Red Sea
The pilots’ comments offered valuable insight into how the Navy is employing its electronic warfare aircraft to counter threats on the modern battlefield.
“We primarily used the Growler to make sure our aircraft were safe,” Scott said. He claimed that EA-18G Growlers would patrol the region and give advance warning of incoming threats to the carrier battle group, as well as to F/A-18 Super Hornets flying combat air patrols.
“The Super Hornet and the EA-18G were very synergistic,” the commander added, noting that the Navy’s electronic warfare fighter jet was “extremely effective at electronic surveillance.”
Although fourth-generation fighter jets are flying through their golden hour and their replacement is not far off, they still have several years of service. And to be effective on the modern battlefield, aircraft and pilots need to adapt.
About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
