Follow-ups – Al-Khabar Al-Yemeni:
The commander of the 34th Fighter Squadron in the US Air Force confirmed that American F-35 fighter jets came under direct fire while carrying out aerial operations over Yemen, clarifying that this incident is the first of its kind during air defense suppression missions in twenty years.
The commander stated that the aircraft were performing operational missions over Yemeni airspace when they detected direct fire directed at them, indicating that the Air Force had not encountered a similar situation for many years. This is considered an indicator of a change in the nature of the risks surrounding the operations and the aircraft.
The commander’s statement indicates an important shift in the air confrontation environment over Yemen, as it reveals that the air defenses or firepower capabilities that targeted the fighters were capable of detecting the aircraft and carrying out an actual targeting process, which means that the US forces are facing a higher level of readiness and capabilities from their adversaries.
The statement also reflects a state of concern within the US Air Force, because the exposure of the F-35 to this type of engagement raises questions about the effectiveness of air defense suppression missions, which the US military considers among its most important preemptive tasks.
This statement also shows that the region is witnessing an evolution in confrontation tools and that the rules of engagement are no longer as they were during the past two decades, which may push the US to review its operational plans.
The squadron commander explained that the relevant authorities are conducting a comprehensive assessment of the incident to determine the nature of the threat and its impact on the course of operations, emphasizing that such developments require a higher level of readiness and continuous updating of operational strategies in the region.
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