by Kris Osborn, President Warrior Maven
Interceptor missiles fired from the Vertical Launch Tubes on US Navy warships, integrated Aegis radar systems, air-to-air shootdowns from US Navy fighter jets, drone swarms targeted by deck-mounted guns and non-kinetic weapons strikes with EW … were all thrust into the international spotlight for months during Houthi cruise missile and drone attacks on US and commercial ships in the Red Sea.
The US Navy’s ability to detect, track and destroy Houthi drone swarms and cruise missiles inspired global attention amid a consistent and serious threat scenario. Several commercial ships were hit and US Navy warships were targeted dozens of times .. yet Houthi weapons never achieved a “hit” on a US Navy vessel.
There are tactical, technological, strategic and doctrinal reasons for the US Navy’s successful ability…… But what about the “heart” of maritime warfare? How did sailors on board US Navy vessels in the Red Sea “hold up” while under constant missile and drone attack? Certainly there are psychological and emotional variables unique to the experience of being under attack at sea, as it is something many US veterans have experienced.
Warrior spoke with Rear. Adm. Javon “Hak” Hakimsadeh, who Commanded Carrier Strike Group 2 in the Red Sea about how trained Navy sailors managed the daily reality of being targeted by Houthi drones and missiles. He explained how US Navy trained maritime warriors retained focus and “adapted” to the reality of being under constant attack.
“It starts with training and confidence in your equipment. Humans can normalize all kinds of difficult situations. The first few times you deal with a threat you are more uptight about it. It is amazing how humans can normalize things,” Hak told Warrior in an interview in 2024.
The ability to respond as needed when under attack can be directly traced to “training,” Hak explained, a maritime warfare preparation plan which trains sailors through three distinct phases of training. It’s a 36-month plan which includes basic training fundamentals ranging from the unit level into an advanced carrier-strike model phase leading to a certification. The last phase of training comes while out on deployment, Hak said.
“You learned to fight and defend your ship and then you fight and defend smaller ships. Then you look at ships and aircraft together,” he added.
Training on deployment involves a series of what Hak described as vignettes, scenarios to ensure sailors get exposure to what they might see to verify reactions and verify procedures.
“It does start with training. We are a rotationally deployed force and the way the United States Navy defends our country is through forward presence. The idea is to be close enough to already be there. Homeland defense is an away game,” Hak told Warrior.
Kris Osborn is the Military Technology Editor of 19FortyFive and President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a highly qualified expert in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University
