Latest news with #BattleofMidway
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
U.S. Navy attack: Did you know history's largest airstrike from a carrier happened this year?
The U.S. Navy has been party to some of history's largest maritime military operations — including, in modern times, World War II's Battle of Leyte Gulf and the Battle of Midway. But the largest airstrike from an aircraft carrier in naval history belongs to 2025. On Feb. 1, the USS Harry S. Truman and its strike group launched the 'largest airstrike in the history of the world' from an aircraft carrier during recent operations near Somalia, Stars and Stripes reported. About 125,000 pounds of munitions were fired into the African country, U.S. Navy Adm. James Kilby, the acting chief of naval operations, said earlier this month while speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations' Robert B. McKeon Endowed Series on Military Strategy and Leadership. Navy Times reported that the USS Harry S. Truman — a Nimitz class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier — launched 27 F/A-18 Super Hornets as part of a coordinated airstrike against Islamic State operatives in Somalia in collaboration with the federal government of Somalia. The joint airstrikes targeted senior IS leadership in Somalia in a series of cave complexes approximately 50 miles southeast of Bosaso. The command reported that 'approximately 14 ISIS-Somalia operatives were killed and no civilians were harmed.' Among those killed was Ahmed Maeleninine, a key IS recruiter, financier, and external operations leader responsible for the deployment of jihadists into the United States and across Europe. 'Degrading ISIS and other terrorist organizations' ability to plot and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our partners, and civilians remains central to U.S. Africa Command's mission,' the report added. Over the years, U.S. Navy airstrikes against IS militants in Somalia have been relatively rare compared with those against the al-Shabab group, the largest terrorist organization in the country. However, there are indications that IS in Somalia is expanding, according to Stars and Stripes. Analysts estimate the IS ranks in Somalia at 1,000 members. During a visit earlier this year to U.S. Africa Command headquarters, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the massive Somalia airstrikes were an example of commanders' now having more decision-making authority on such matters, Stars and Stripes reported. 'That's a reflection … of pushing authority down (and) untying the hands of warfighters,' Hegseth said. '(Such decisions) should be made at the four-star level or at the Secretary of Defense level more quickly based on the ability to degrade the enemy.' Past large-scale U.S. airstrikes, like those conducted during Operation Desert Storm, involved multiple aircraft carriers and air wings, which would fly joint missions. But the Feb. 1 strike was unique in that it was conducted by a single air wing, according to Navy Times. The USS Truman arrived in the Red Sea on Dec. 14, 2024, to provide combat support against Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who've conducted missile and drone strikes against shipping and military vessels in the region since November 2023. While there, Carrier Air Wing 1, composed of eight embarked squadrons aboard the Truman, reportedly took part in operations striking over 1,100 targets. The strikes killed hundreds of Houthi fighters and multiple senior Houthi officials, Navy Times reported. Beyond its sizable combat activities, the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group's eight-month deployment, which is arriving home this week at various homeports, encountered several challenges. In February, the Truman collided with a merchant ship in the Mediterranean Sea. The aircraft carrier suffered structural damage, and its commanding officer was relieved of duty, Virginia's WVEC-TV reported. The strike group also saw the loss of three F/A-18 Super Hornets during this deployment. The first happened in December, when one of the fighter jets was shot down in a friendly fire incident. Both Naval aviators were able to eject from the jet and were recovered safely. One of them sustained minor injuries, according to U.S. Central Command. On April 28, another F/A-18 fell into the Red Sea as it was being towed by a tow craft. Then, just over a week later, an F/A-18 was coming in for landing on the aircraft carrier when the Navy said a 'failed arrestment' occurred, leading to the fighter jet falling off the deck of the carrier and into the water, according to the WVEC-TV report. Both pilots in the jet ejected safely and suffered minor injuries. No one on the flight deck was hurt. The aircraft cost around $60 million each.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Legacy of Valor: Bestselling author remembers Midway and its role in military remembrance
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — As we commemorate Memorial Day, the legacy of the Battle of Midway serves as a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifice of those who fought. Now, in a captivating interview, bestselling author Martin Dugard shares insights into his latest book, 'Taking Midway,' which delves into its profound impact on military remembrance. During the interview, Dugard reflects on the brave individuals who served during the battle, emphasizing the importance of remembering their sacrifices. The Battle of Midway, fought from June 4 to June 7, 1942, marked a crucial turning point in the Pacific Theater of World War II, shifting the balance of naval power in favor of the Allies. The battle resulted in the sinking of four Japanese aircraft carriers – Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, and Hiryu – crippling the Japanese fleet and leading to over 3,000 Japanese casualties, while the U.S. lost one carrier, the Yorktown, and around 300 personnel. Watch Dugard detail the successful strategies and heroic actions of naval aviators during this battle, demonstrating extraordinary bravery and influencing naval tactics for years to come. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
1940s Ford car found on wartime US carrier wreck
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Researchers exploring the underwater wreck of an American aircraft carrier have discovered what's left of a wood-panelled Ford automobile from the 1940s in the ship's hanger bay. It's not clear what the vehicle is doing there, but the researchers think it may have been used as a staff car by naval officers during World War II. The discovery was announced late last month by the Ocean Exploration program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which coordinated an expedition to the wreck of USS Yorktown in April by experts onboard the research vessel Okeanos Explorer. The Yorktown was badly damaged in fighting during the Battle of Midway in early June 1942; it was returning to Hawaii for repairs when it was sunk by torpedoes from a Japanese submarine on June 7, 1942. The new exploration also revealed the remains of three Douglas SBD Dauntless dive-bombers on board — the first time that any warplanes from the Midway conflict have been discovered underwater. Research suggests that two of the aircraft were from another American aircraft carrier but had landed on the Yorktown after being damaged in the fighting at Midway; the third aircraft seems to have been one of Yorktown's reserve bombers. Related: 30 incredible sunken wrecks from WWI and WWII The Yorktown wreck was found in 1988 during an expedition led by the renowned American oceanographer Robert Ballard (who co-led the 1985 expedition that found the Titanic), about 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) northwest of Honolulu and at a depth of about 18,000 feet (5,500 meters). That's far too deep for human divers and the Yorktown wreck has been explored only once before, with a remotely-operated underwater vehicle (ROV) in 2023. The latest discoveries were also made with ROVs tethered to the Okeanos Explorer. Marine archaeologist Philip Hartmeyer, who led the NOAA Ocean Exploration expedition, told Live Science the researchers were surprised to find the remains of the Ford car, but that they were emblematic of the Yorktown explorations. "Dives like those on Yorktown highlight how little we know about what lies in our deep ocean — from its history to marine life and habitats it harbors," he said in an email. "In addition to allowing the public to learn more about American history, the bravery of our military, and the museum that lies at the bottom of the sea, these dives help the nation better understand and appreciate the overall need to explore and manage our ocean resources," Hartmeyer said. Image 1 of 4 The front license plate of the vehicle reads "SHIP SERVICE ___ NAVY". Image 2 of 4 The remains of three Dauntless dive bombers were found on one of the carrier's elevators, which were used to transfer aircraft between the flight deck and the hangar deck. Image 3 of 4 The Yorktown sank in 1942 after being badly damaged during the Battle of Midway. The wreck was discovered in 1988 and has only been explored once before. Image 4 of 4 The researchers also used a remotely-operated underwater vehicle to image a hand-painted mural recording the carrier's voyages. The remains of the automobile were located on the port (left) side of the aft (rear) of the carrier's vast hanger deck, which ran almost the length of the ship beneath its uppermost flight deck. It has been tentatively identified as a 1940 or 1941 Ford Super Deluxe 'Woody' wagon. The vehicle was painted black and had exterior wood paneling when it was new, but the paneling has now rotted away underwater. The researchers think it may have been a staff car for naval officers or that it was used by the carrier's crew. As well as finding the remains of the Ford, the researchers used an ROV to image a hand-painted mural onboard the wrecked carrier that portrayed its voyages around the world. RELATED STORIES —Wreck of WWII 'Hit 'Em Harder' submarine, which sank with 79 crew on board, discovered in South China Sea —Why did the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima leave shadows of people etched on sidewalks? —Medieval crowns of Eastern European royalty hidden in cathedral wall since World War II finally recovered According to the statement, the mural measures 42 feet by 12 feet (12.8 by 3.6 m) and shows "the pride that Yorktown's sailors had for their ship, the global scale of Yorktown's activities, and the strategic role that the ship played in defending the United States." The discoveries will help researchers piece together what actually happened during the famous wartime attack on the U.S. military base at Midway Atoll in the northern Pacific Ocean. The attack was defeated by U.S. forces and is thought to have been an attempt by Japan to lure American warships away from their base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. "The mission to Yorktown is exploration at its highest level, helping solve mysteries in unexplored parts of U.S. waters," Hartmeyer said.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Massive mural found intact on World War II ship that sank in 1942
An ocean mapping expedition conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration explored the resting site of the World War II aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-5) and found that a mural painted inside the ship was still intact after nearly 83 years underwater. Shortly after the Battle of Midway, an already crippled USS Yorktown was hit by a torpedo attack from a Japanese submarine. The damage was significant enough that the US Navy deemed repairs impossible and the ship sank in the Pacific. The sunken aircraft carrier was rediscovered in 1998 by oceanographer Robert Ballard. The NOAA's exploration team explored the ship's hangar deck and discovered a mural, titled "A Chart of the Cruises of the USS Yorktown," painted on the wall of one of the ship's elevator shafts. Before the explorers rediscovered the painting, it had only been partially visible in historical photos of the ship. The 42 by 12-foot mural displays a world map that tracks the various voyages the ship undertook during its time in service. The hand-painted artwork wasn't the only surprise awaiting the explorers in the depths of the Yorktown; the NOAA team also found an old car in the aft hangar of the ship. According to NOAA, the vehicle is a 1940-1941 Ford Super Deluxe "Woody," colored black. The words "SHIP SERVICE_NAVY" are written on part of its front plate. NOAA researchers believe the car may have been used by Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, Captain Elliott Buckmaster, or other crew for conducting business while the ship was in foreign ports. The car's existence on the ship is something of a curiosity. In May 1942, the Yorktown was severely damaged by Japanese aircraft in the Battle of the Coral Sea, after which it sailed back to Hawaii, where it stayed in dry dock at Pearl Harbor for two days for rapid repairs before it went to participate in the Battle of Midway. During the battle, the Yorktown was again damaged by Japanese aircraft, and developed a list to its port side — meaning the ship began to lean to one side — at which time the crew jettisoned much of its heavy equipment, like aircraft and anti-aircraft guns. But they didn't jettison the car. The reasons for keeping the car onboard the ship at a time when even anti-aircraft guns and airplanes were being tossed over may remain a mystery. The NOAA's dive also found the first underwater examples of the aircraft on the Yorktown that had been jettisoned during the Battle of Midway. While exploring a heavily obstructed elevator shaft, the NOAA's remote vehicle entered a hangar and found the remains of at least three Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers. Records from the battle note that the Yorktown recovered a pair of aircraft from the USS Enterprise that had been barely damaged. The aircraft were moved down onto a hangar deck and later suffered fire damage when Japanese bombs hit the Yorktown. Research is still ongoing to determine if the airplanes found in the hangar are those recovered from the Enterprise. Other parts of various aircraft were also located among the wreckage. In addition to the remnants of battle, the NOAA may have also discovered a new species of jellyfish. The dive team encountered a small, bright red and white jellyfish, though it is unclear if it's a new or an existing species. Tubeworms and anemones were also found attached to the ship's hull. Sunken ships often provide structures for undersea life to attach and grow onto. In 2023, the site of the Yorktown's wreck was designated as a Site of Extraordinary Character by the US Navy.
The Independent
28-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
Massive mural found intact on World War II ship that sank in 1942
An ocean mapping expedition conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration explored the resting site of the World War II aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-5) and found that a mural painted inside the ship was still intact after nearly 83 years underwater. Shortly after the Battle of Midway, an already crippled USS Yorktown was hit by a torpedo attack from a Japanese submarine. The damage was significant enough that the US Navy deemed repairs impossible and the ship sank in the Pacific. The sunken aircraft carrier was rediscovered in 1998 by oceanographer Robert Ballard. The NOAA's exploration team explored the ship's hangar deck and discovered a mural, titled "A Chart of the Cruises of the USS Yorktown," painted on the wall of one of the ship's elevator shafts. Before the explorers rediscovered the painting, it had only been partially visible in historical photos of the ship. The 42 by 12-foot mural displays a world map that tracks the various voyages the ship undertook during its time in service. The hand-painted artwork wasn't the only surprise awaiting the explorers in the depths of the Yorktown; the NOAA team also found an old car in the aft hangar of the ship. According to NOAA, the vehicle is a 1940-1941 Ford Super Deluxe "Woody," colored black. The words "SHIP SERVICE_NAVY" are written on part of its front plate. NOAA researchers believe the car may have been used by Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, Captain Elliott Buckmaster, or other crew for conducting business while the ship was in foreign ports. The car's existence on the ship is something of a curiosity. In May 1942, the Yorktown was severely damaged by Japanese aircraft in the Battle of the Coral Sea, after which it sailed back to Hawaii, where it stayed in dry dock at Pearl Harbor for two days for rapid repairs before it went to participate in the Battle of Midway. During the battle, the Yorktown was again damaged by Japanese aircraft, and developed a list to its port side — meaning the ship began to lean to one side — at which time the crew jettisoned much of its heavy equipment, like aircraft and anti-aircraft guns. But they didn't jettison the car. The reasons for keeping the car onboard the ship at a time when even anti-aircraft guns and airplanes were being tossed over may remain a mystery. The NOAA's dive also found the first underwater examples of the aircraft on the Yorktown that had been jettisoned during the Battle of Midway. While exploring a heavily obstructed elevator shaft, the NOAA's remote vehicle entered a hangar and found the remains of at least three Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers. Records from the battle note that the Yorktown recovered a pair of aircraft from the USS Enterprise that had been barely damaged. The aircraft were moved down onto a hangar deck and later suffered fire damage when Japanese bombs hit the Yorktown. Research is still ongoing to determine if the airplanes found in the hangar are those recovered from the Enterprise. Other parts of various aircraft were also located among the wreckage. In addition to the remnants of battle, the NOAA may have also discovered a new species of jellyfish. The dive team encountered a small, bright red and white jellyfish, though it is unclear if it's a new or an existing species. Tubeworms and anemones were also found attached to the ship's hull. Sunken ships often provide structures for undersea life to attach and grow onto. In 2023, the site of the Yorktown's wreck was designated as a Site of Extraordinary Character by the US Navy.
