The US is weighing possible responses after two separate missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen targeted US Navy ships in the Red Sea, prompting a destroyer to launch countermeasures. On Sunday, two separate missiles fired from the coastal areas of Yemen came near the USS Mason. The destroyer launched unnamed countermeasures to deter one missile, and another missile landed in the sea about an hour later, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said during a Tuesday briefing. The US is still collecting intelligence to determine exactly who fired the missiles, as well as possible responses. The delay in possible retaliation is because the ships need to determine exactly what targets would be hit and ensure that no collateral damage would occur. The Mason at the time was steaming alongside the USS Ponce amphibious transport ship, and it is thought the Ponce was the original target, Davis said. The attack on the US ships came about a week after missiles from Houthi rebels hit a UAE civilian vessel in the same waters.
An important U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control plane was among the aircraft damaged in a March 27 Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.