The United States Navy carried out what it has described as the largest airstrike ever launched from a single aircraft carrier, dropping more than 125,000 pounds (62.5 tons) of munitions during an operation in Somalia earlier this year, according to Admiral James Kilby, the acting chief of naval operations.
The strike was conducted on February 1, involving 16 F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets deployed from the USS Harry S. Truman, which had been operating in the Middle East as part of its scheduled rotation. Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, Admiral Kilby highlighted the scale of the mission, emphasizing its place in naval aviation history.
“This was the largest airstrike in the history of the world launched from a single carrier,” Kilby said.
A defense official confirmed to Business Insider that the strike was part of a broader US military campaign in Somalia aimed at degrading the capabilities of Islamic State (IS) and the Al-Qaeda-linked group Al-Shabaab. According to US Africa Command, 25 airstrikes have been launched by American forces in Somalia since January.
The Truman Carrier Strike Group has also played a significant role in countering Houthi attacks on shipping lanes near Yemen. Over the past six months, the group reportedly conducted 670 strikes against Houthi targets and intercepted around 160 drones and missiles.
“The Houthis are not China, but they are a threat. They are hunting our ships,” Admiral Kilby warned. He emphasized the importance of being alert and prepared in a multipolar security environment.
The Truman’s deployment has not been without incidents:
In December, an American F/A-18 was mistakenly shot down by another ship in the carrier group, an event the Pentagon later labeled as friendly fire.
In April, an F/A-18 fighter jet and a tow tractor accidentally fell overboard during evasive maneuvers.
Most recently, an arresting cable malfunction resulted in another Super Hornet aircraft plunging into the sea during a landing attempt.
The estimated cost of each F/A-18 exceeds $60 million, raising questions about the wear and tear of extended deployments and readiness standards aboard the Truman.
The Truman group left the Red Sea earlier this month and is currently participating in NATO naval exercises in the Mediterranean, with plans to return to its home port in Norfolk, Virginia, soon. Analysts note that the carrier's deployment illustrates the U.S. Navy’s expanding role in global power projection amid increasing security challenges in Africa and the Middle East.