© Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Janae Chambers/US NavyGuided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) • Arabian Gulf • December 5, 2023
In the past, these missiles have been intercepted by US destroyers in the area at a range of eight miles or more, the officials said. But the USS Gravely had to use its Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) for the first time since the US began intercepting the Houthi missiles late last year, which ultimately succeeded in downing the missile, officials said.
The CIWS, an automated machine gun designed for close-range intercepts, is one of the final defensive lines the ship has to shoot down an incoming missile when other layers of defense have failed to intercept it.
The episode underscores the threat the Houthis continue to pose to US naval assets and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, despite multiple US and British strikes on Houthi infrastructure inside Yemen. The close call also comes just days after three US service members were killed in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants at a US outpost in Jordan.
On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin condemned the "reckless and illegal attacks" against US warships and commercial vessels in the region.
Austin, during a bilateral meeting with his British counterpart, said:
"We can see Iran's hand here as well, providing the Houthis with advanced conventional weapons, intelligence and expertise."
Comment: Oh...did we mention 'Iran'? (Eleven times) Repetitious messaging solidifies associations - particularly with numb audiences that listen to CNN.