Yemen Monitor /Agencies/ Newsroom:
The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and its strike group have returned to their homeport at the Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia after an eight-month intensive deployment in what has been one of the U.S. Navy’s most challenging combat operations in decades.
According to the U.S. Naval Institute News (USNI News), the warship arrived on Sunday to jubilant celebrations, as sailors reunited with loved ones after months of clashes with the Houthi group in the Red Sea.
The report stated that the carrier led intensive military operations under Operation Rough Rider, which targeted the Houthis’ military infrastructure.
Commander Desmond Walker, captain of the destroyer USS Stout, confirmed that his crew was ready for combat despite the difficulty of the mission, saying: “We trained for scenarios like this, and when the time came, we rose to the challenge with professionalism.”
He confirmed that the strike group engaged in fierce battles against the Houthis, who used cruise missiles and drones to target both commercial and military ships. The US responded with intense airstrikes, dropping over one million pounds of ordnance on various targets.
The mission was not without its challenges. The group lost three fighter jets—one due to a friendly fire incident—and the Truman itself collided with a commercial vessel near the Suez Canal, leading to the replacement of its commanding officer.
Rear Admiral Sean Bailey, commander of the strike group, praised the crew’s performance, saying: “They faced unprecedented challenges, but they endured and returned home safely.”
He noted that this deployment is part of a broader series of long-term operations by U.S. aircraft carriers, as the Navy continues to assess sustainable deployment strategies amid growing operational demands.
The Truman is scheduled to undergo comprehensive maintenance soon in preparation for future missions.
