The recent outbreak of Islamic terrorists hit home when a U.S. Navy destroyer based at Mayport was fired upon Monday.
The USS Mason had just disrupted an attempt by the Iranian-backed terrorists to seize an oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden.
The Mason was part of a counter-piracy task force.
Houthi terrorists in Yemen fired two ballistic missiles after the Mason, in response to an emergency call, intercepted the M/V Central Park and demanded the terrorists who had seized it release their hostages. The terrorists attempted to flee but were caught.
No damage was done to the Jacksonville-based ship as the missiles fell short of their target. Curiously, a U.S. spokesman told Newsweek the destroyer was not the target, although it was not clear why terrorists would be firing near them but not at them.
The Mason left Mayport Nov. 13 to join the task force. Upon departing, Cmdr. Justin B. Smith, Mason’s commanding officer, said, “I am excited to see us excel in our assignments as we head east with the strike group. Mason is more than ready to answer the call for any tasking we may receive.”
U.S. forces in the region have been attacked at least 66 times by various Iranian-backed terrorists since Oct. 17.
About 10 days before the Mason incident, another Navy destroyer shot down several missiles that were attacking the ship.
Tension has been felt throughout the Mideast since the bloodthirsty attack by Arab terrorists on civilians in Israel Oct. 7.
