Navy Pilot Makes History as First Female to Score Air-to-Air Combat Victory

(NationRise.com) – A US Navy pilot made history on July 22 as she became the first American woman ever to achieve an air-to-air combat win after downing a missile drone in Yemen that was launched by the Houthis. The terrorist group has been attacking U.S. and Western targets since Israel’s declaration of war against the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas following the October 7 attacks.

While the Navy fighter pilot’s name hasn’t been revealed as of this writing, it’s known that she’s part of the “Flying Swordsmen” squadron, which is known for its efficiency. The squadron has amassed nearly 4,000 combat hours and flown over 1,300 missions. Journalists revealed that she flew a Super Hornet F-18 off the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier.

Most of the squadron’s combat hours and missions are part of numerous operations whose primary targets are Houthi and ISIS-led drone strikes on international vessels. The U.S. Navy detailed in a statement that the squadron fired over 20 missiles against the drones during the mission. One of the missiles that neutralized one of the drones was shot by the American pilot woman, which prevented numerous deaths as the drone she destroyed was targeting a civilian merchant ship.

Over the last nine months, the Flying Swordsmen have been destroying numerous missile drones from the Houthis, as well as control and command facilities and munition sites. The squadron has said that while the Houthis remain operational, thanks in part to the backing of the Iranian regime, the terrorist group has been weakened.

In a press conference, the squadron’s Commander, Officer Jason Hoch, said that their performance was impeccable, especially because the last operation was executed under “incredibly demanding conditions.” He added that the success of the operation shows that a carrier strike team brings the highest flexibility to air-to-air combat.

The female pilot’s triumph came nearly three decades after Kara Hultgreen flew an F-14 Tomcat after becoming the first woman pilot in the US Navy.