Tanker Carrying Russian Oil to China Attacked by Houthi Sea Drone
NewsweekJul 20
US Navy: First Air-to-Air Victory for Female Fighter Pilot
Above: An F18 Super Hornet prepares to land on the deck of the USS Eisenhower in 2015. Image copyright: Mark Wilson/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
The US Navy has revealed that a female aviator recently became the first American woman to score a victory in air-to-air combat when she knocked down a Houthi drone.
Although the Navy didn't specify when the unnamed female pilot accomplished her historic feat, the service confirmed that during its deployment that started Oct. 13 and 14, her squadron fired more than 20 air-to-air missiles against one-way Houthi attack drones.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This outstanding soldier and all members of this command should be commended for their great work under demanding conditions. Her squadron is highly trained and motivated and goes above and beyond their call of duty daily. When it comes to making sure the US and its allies are safe — especially against the Houthi threat — this squadron has performed admirably and this fighter pilot has achieved a milestone in US armed forces history.
Establishment-critical narrative
The US can celebrate this historic milestone all it wants. But it can't distract from how much its policy in reference to the Houthis and protecting shipping lanes has failed. US policy has come at great cost and done nothing to slow Houthi attacks, as evidenced by the recent drone strike on Israel. The US must change course.