In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Red Sea, Houthi forces launched a modified Iranian missile at the USS Laboon early on January 14, 2024, in what has been deemed a catastrophic miscalculation. At 2:00 AM local time, the missile shot from a mobile launcher in Yemen, aimed squarely at the U.S. Navy destroyer. However, unbeknownst to the Houthi operators, a critical navigation error of 0.5 degrees would soon spell disaster for their mission.

As the missile soared towards its target, the crew aboard the Laboon remained blissfully unaware, operating at a sluggish three knots during a routine midwatch. But the calm was shattered when radar screens lit up with the incoming threat. With just seconds to react, the crew initiated emergency protocols, revving the ship’s engines to full power. Meanwhile, an E2D Hawkeye aircraft circling overhead provided crucial tracking data, allowing the Laboon to prepare its defense.

The missile, designed for a high-dive attack to exploit radar blind spots, was detected just in time. As it descended, the Laboon’s crew realized their luck had turned; the missile had veered off course by nearly 10 miles due to the earlier navigational error. The Houthi missile splashed harmlessly into the sea, a near-miss that could have had catastrophic implications.

But the U.S. response was swift. With the missile’s launch site located, F-18 Super Hornets were dispatched from the USS Eisenhower, targeting the Houthi launchers and their command bunkers. Precision-guided bombs obliterated the missile sites, ensuring that the Houthi forces could not repeat their reckless aggression.

As the skies cleared, the U.S. Navy demonstrated its unmatched capability to respond to threats, leaving the Houthi forces to reckon with the consequences of their bold—and ultimately misguided—attack on a U.S. warship. The situation remains tense, with military analysts closely monitoring developments in the region as the conflict intensifies.