I - On Defense Podcast

For review: 1. US CENTCOM X 16 Mar- Iranian-backed Houthis launched two unmanned Aerial vehicles (UAV) from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Red Sea. US CENTCOM Forces successfully engaged and destroyed one UAV and the other is presumed to have crashed into the Red Sea.  16 Mar- US CENTCOM Forces destroyed five unmanned surface vessels and one UAV in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in...

For review: 1. US CENTCOM X: 14 Mar- Iranian-backed Houthis fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Gulf of Aden and two additional ASBMs towards the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported to U.S. or coalition ships. Additionally, United States Central Command successfully engaged and destroyed nine anti-ship missiles and two unma...

For review: 1. US CENTCOM X: 12 Mar- U.S. Army Vessels (USAV SP4 James A. Loux (LSV-6), USAV Monterrey (LCU30), USAV Matamoros (LCU26), and USAV Wilson Warf (LCU11) from the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), departed Joint Base Langley-Eustis en-route to the E. Mediterranean to establish a roll-on, roll-off dock capability that allows ship to shore humanitarian assistance to Gaza.  12 Ma...

For review: 1. US CENTCOM X: 11 Mar- Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles from Houthi-controlled areas of into the Red Sea toward merchant vessel Pinocchio, a Singaporean-owned, Liberian-flagged ship. The missiles did not impact the vessel and there were no injuries or damage reported.  Also on 11 Mar, United States Central Command conducted six self-defense stri...

For review: 1. US CENTCOM X: 09 Mar- U.S. and Coalition forces downed a total of at least 28 uncrewed aerial vehicles between 1600-2030 (local time).  U.S. Army Vessel (USAV) General Frank S. Besson (LSV-1) from the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, XVIII Airborne Corps, departed Joint Base Langley-Eustis en route to the Eastern Mediterranean less t...

For review- (shorter episodes planned for next two weeks) 1. US CENTCOM X: 06 Mar- At approximately 11:30 a.m. (local time) an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) was launched from Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen toward M/V True Confidence, a Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned bulk carrier, while transiting the Gulf of Aden. The missile struck the vessel, and the multination...

For review: 1. US CENTCOM X: 04 Mar- Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired 2 x anti-ship ballistic missiles from Yemen into the Gulf of Aden at M/V MSC SKY II, a Liberian-flagged, Swiss-owned container vessel. One of the missiles impacted the vessel causing damage. Initial reports indicate there were no injuries; the ship did not request assistance and continued on its way. At 8 p.m. (local), CEN...

For review: 1. Pentagon will Lift V-22 Osprey Grounding Next Week. 2. Army National Guard Grounds all Helicopters following fatal AH-64 Crash in Mississippi.  3. US CENTCOM X: 29 Feb- between 1800-1915 hours (local), CENTCOM Forces conducted 2 x self-defense strikes against 6 x mobile anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared to launch towards the Red Sea. Earlier, at approximately 1710 (local)...

For review: 1. US CENTCOM X: 27 Feb- Between 2150 & 2255 (local), US aircraft and a Coalition warship shot down 5 x Iranian-backed Houthi one-way attack (OWA) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in the Red Sea.  2. Israel and Hamas continue Hostage-Prisoner negotiations as Ramadan gets closer (10 Mar). 3.  Ukraine Considers Inviting Russia to Peace Summit in Switzerland . 4. France Considers Sendin...

For review: 1. US CENTCOM X: 26 Feb- CENTCOM Forces destroyed 3 x unmanned surface vessels (USV), 2 x mobile anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM), and 1 x one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in self-defense.  2. From Department of Defense statement (24 Feb):  US and UK, with support from allied nations, struck 18 Houthi targets on 24 Feb. Supported by Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the...

For review: US CENTCOM X: 18 Feb- Iran-backed Houthi terrorists attacked the M/V Rubymar, a Belize-flagged, UK-owned bulk carrier. The attack caused significant damage to the ship, which caused an 18-mile oil slick.  22 Feb- US aircraft and a coalition warship shot down 6 x Iranian-backed Houthi one-way attack (OWA) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the Red Sea. Later, Houthis rebels fired 2 x anti...

For review: 1. CENTCOM X: - 20 Feb: At 0030 (local), USS Laboon (DDG 58) identified a one anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) headed in its direction. The USS Laboon shot down the ASCM.  - 21 Feb: Between 1200 and 1845 (local), CENTCOM Forces conducted 4 x self-defense strikes against 7 x mobile Houthi Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles and 1 x mobile Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile launcher that were prepared to...

For review: 1. US CENTCOM X: - 17 Feb: CENTCOM Forces conducted five self-defense strikes against 3 x  mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, 1 x unmanned underwater vessel (UUV), and 1 x  unmanned surface vessel (USV) in Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. This is the first observed Houthi employment of a UUV since attacks began in October 2023. 2. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant: H...

For review: 1. US CENTCOM X: - 14 Feb: CENTCOM Forces conducted four self-defense strikes against 7 x mobile anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM), 3 x  mobile unmanned aerial vehicles(UAV), and 1 x explosive unmanned surface vessel (USV) in Houthi controlled areas of Yemen,. - 15 Feb: US Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr (WPC 1147), forward deployed to CENTCOM AOR, seized advanced conventio...

For review: 1. US CENTCOM X: 12 Feb- Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired two missiles from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Bab al-Mandeb. Both missiles were launched toward MV Star Iris, a Greek-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel transiting the Red Sea.  The ship reports being seaworthy with minor damage and no injuries to the crew. 2. IDF airs footage of Hamas leader (Yahy...

For review: 1. US Central Command (CENTCOM) X: - 09 Feb- CENTCOM Forces conducted self-defense strikes against two mobile unmanned surface vessels (USV), four mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, and one mobile land attack cruise missile (LACM) that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea. - 10 Feb- CENTCOM Forces conducted self-defense strikes against two unmanned surface vessels (USV)...

For review: 1. USMC identifies five crewmembers killed in CH-53E Super Stallion crash.  The helicopter crashed over Pine Valley, California (about 50 miles east of San Diego). 2.  US drone strike in Baghdad kills high-ranking militia leader (Abu Baqir Al-Saadi), commander in charge of Kataib Hezbollah’s operations in Syria.  Al-Saadi was linked to attacks on American troops in the region. 3.  IDF...

For review: 1. US CENTCOM X: 06 Feb: Iranian-Backed Houthi Terrorists conduct Multiple Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile Attacks in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden . 05 Feb: US CENTCOM Forces conducted a strike in self-defense against two Houthi explosive uncrewed surface vehicles (USV).  04 Feb: US CENTCOM Forces conducted strike in self-defense against a Houthi land attack cruise missile. CENTCO...

For review: 1. US CENTCOM X:  - 03 Feb: US CENTCOM Forces & UK Armed Forces conducted strikes against 36 Houthi targets at 13 locations in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen. US CENTCOM Forces included  F/A18-E/F Super Hornets from the USS Eisenhower (CVN-69) and US Navy Guided-missile destroyers USS Carney (DDG-64) and USS Gravely (DDG-107). -  04 Feb: UUS CENTCOM Force...

For review: 1. US strikes Iran-backed militant targets in Syria and Iraq in response to the attack in Jordan that killed three US Army Soldiers. US CENTCOM Forces struck over 85 targets. B-1 Lancer long-range bombers, flying from the US, took part in the strikes. 2. Israeli Defense Minister (Yoav Gallant) announces Hamas forces in Khan Yunis have been defeated- however, the IDF has not announced f...

For review: 1. US Soldiers (3) killed in Drone strike at base in Jordan. Soldiers assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion. 2. In wake of deadly drone attack, US CENTCOM to analyze counter-UAS needs and procedures at bases within the Area of Responsibility.  3. Syrian state media reports Iranian advisers killed in strike near Damascus. Iranian Ambassador to Syria denies Ira...

For review: 1. Russian report: Russian Il-76 Transport Plane shot down carrying 65 Prisoners of War set for exchange. Associated Press outlet and US government cannot confirm. 2. Report; UK and Germany in discussion for long-range missile transfer: UK Storm Shadows to Ukraine -in return- Germany provides Taurus missiles to the UK. 3. Skynex air defense battery (Rheinmetall Italia) goes to Ukraine-...

For review: 1. US CENTCOM X: 24 Jan 2024; US CENTCOM Forces strike Kataib Hezbollah (KH) capabilities in Iraq. Targets included KH headquarters, storage and training locations for rocket, missile, and one-way attack UAV capabilities. 2. US and Iraq discussing future of US Military presence in the country.  Currently, the US has 2,500 Troops in Iraq as part of the anti-ISIS coalition. 3. US CENTCOM...

For review: 1. Sad Story: US Navy identified two Navy Seals lost at sea following a boarding mission on 11 January 2024.  2. US and UK strikes Houthi Rebels in Yemen with Tomahawk Missiles and Warplanes (F/A 18E/F Super Hornets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), and UK Royal Air Force Typhoon jets). Tomahawks fired from Guided Missile Cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG-58), and Guided Missile...

For review: 1. US CENTCOM X (Twitter) 20 January- multiple ballistic missiles and rockets were launched by Iranian-backed militants targeting al-Assad Airbase. Most missiles were intercepted by the base’s air defense systems while others impacted on the base. Damage assessments are ongoing.  2. 1. US CENTCOM X (Twitter) 19/20 January- US CENTCOM Forces destroy Houthi Anti-ship missiles aimed at th...