US Military Carries Out Largest Airstrike Ever From an Aircraft Carrier in Strategic Somalia Operation.

According to official statements by Admiral James Kilby, Acting Chief of Naval Operations of the U.S. Navy, the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) conducted the most powerful airstrike ever launched from an aircraft carrier on February 1, 2025. The operation involved the deployment of 125,000 pounds of munitions against a series of targets in Somalia. Admiral Kilby described it as “the largest airstrike in the history of the world” conducted from a single naval platform. The mission was made possible through complex technical coordination and considerable projection capability within a shifting geopolitical context.
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Since December 2024, the USS Harry S. Truman has operated under three combatant commands: CENTCOM, EUCOM, and AFRICOM (Picture source: US DoD)

The strike force was composed of sixteen F/A-18 Super Hornet multirole combat aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing 1 (CVW-1). Each aircraft took off in succession from the Truman’s flight deck, fully armed with Mark 80 series general-purpose bombs fitted with JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) guidance kits. These kits transform unguided bombs into precision weapons by using GPS-assisted inertial navigation, enabling accurate targeting of reinforced or subterranean positions. The targets selected for this operation were hardened cave complexes situated in the Golis Mountains, a remote and mountainous area in northern Somalia long associated with ISIS logistics and leadership.

The operation required detailed pre-mission planning and complex aerial logistics. Support aircraft included F/A-18F variants configured as buddy tankers to conduct in-flight refueling, a critical enabler for strike aircraft operating at extended ranges from the carrier. Additionally, a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker was tracked in the vicinity, outfitted with a boom-drogue adapter allowing interoperability with Navy aircraft. This coordination between branches highlights the integrated nature of modern U.S. military operations and the increasing reliance on flexible, long-range strike capability from sea-based platforms.

Support assets also likely included EA-18G Growler aircraft for electronic warfare and E-2D Hawkeye airborne early warning and control aircraft. These platforms provided essential coverage for signal jamming, threat detection, and command and control during the mission. Though Somalia lacks sophisticated air defenses, the inclusion of these systems reflects U.S. Navy doctrine emphasizing full-spectrum superiority, even in low-intensity or asymmetric combat environments.

While the scale and execution of the strike garnered international attention, the operation is emblematic of a larger strategic footprint of the U.S. Navy in the region. The USS Harry S. Truman has been deployed since December 2024 and has operated across three unified combatant commands: U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), and U.S. European Command (EUCOM). This multi-theater deployment illustrates the Navy’s adaptability in responding to a broad spectrum of threats while maintaining global maritime security.

In parallel with the Somalia operation, the Truman strike group played a central role in Operation Rough Rider, a sustained air campaign targeting Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Throughout its deployment in the Red Sea, the carrier group executed more than 670 strikes and intercepted at least 160 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and missiles launched toward military and commercial maritime traffic. These missions were carried out in direct response to increased Houthi aggression, which has included persistent drone and missile attacks on international shipping lanes since late 2023. The air and missile defense role undertaken by the Truman reinforced U.S. commitments to ensure safe passage through key maritime chokepoints like the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Suez Canal.

The strategic implications of these operations extend far beyond the battlefield. The ability of a single U.S. carrier to carry out high-intensity precision strikes across vast distances, while also conducting defensive operations against asymmetric threats, reflects an evolving doctrine of rapid, flexible force projection. In an era of intensifying great power competition and regional instability, such capabilities provide the United States with a critical advantage in deterrence, response, and sustained combat operations.

After departing the Red Sea in May, the Truman has continued its deployment in the Mediterranean Sea, where it is participating in joint NATO maritime exercises. These maneuvers are designed to enhance interoperability with allied naval forces and signal continued commitment to collective security in the European theater. Upon completion of these exercises, the Truman is expected to return to its homeport at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, following nearly eight months of continuous forward deployment.

The February 1 airstrike over Somalia stands as a benchmark in the application of sea-based airpower and the integration of advanced targeting, logistics, and command systems in a real-world combat environment. More than a tactical success, it illustrates a transformative shift in how U.S. carrier strike groups operate across multiple domains, with increased speed, autonomy, and precision. As threats continue to emerge in both conventional and irregular forms, the Truman's mission demonstrates the enduring relevance and strategic value of carrier-based aviation in maintaining global stability.