Two missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled areas on the Yemeni shoreline at the USS Mason, which employed defensive countermeasures for the second time in four days. The missiles did not reach the destroyer, Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said in a statement. On Sunday, two missiles were fired at the ship, which employed countermeasures in response to the first missile while the second crashed into the Red Sea. The ship has not retaliated yet and has continued its operations. “Those who threaten our forces should know that US commanders retain the right to defend their ships, and we will respond to this threat at the appropriate time and in the appropriate manner,” Cook said.
Members of the House Armed Services Committee say the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program has been set back three months due to the ongoing government shutdown. The comment is noteworthy because the JATM's status has been kept tightly under wraps.
