Israeli pilots recall daring airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen

Israeli Air Force (IAF) pilots revealed details concerning this week’s daring aerial strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. The airstrikes came in response to the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist militia’s failed missile attack on Israel’s Ben-Gurion International Airport on Sunday.

Israel quickly announced that the “era of restraint” against the Houthis was over and struck the Houthi-held Hodeidah port as well as Yemen’s main airport, the Houthi-controlled Sanaa Airport outside the Yemeni capital. The Houthi targets are located some 1,200 miles [19300 km] from Israeli territory.

The successful operations required close coordination between the IAF's various squadrons and included fighter jets like F-15s, F-16s and fifth-generation F-35s, as well as intelligence, command-and-control and refuelling aircraft. Some 50 various munitions were used in the complex operations.

“They provided the support that enabled us to reach such a distant range,” IAF deputy commander of the 69th Squadron, Major N., told Ynet News.

The senior IAF commander said that such complex long-distance operations normally require more time to prepare and execute.

“Normally, preparation for such an operation takes several days, but this time it happened in a very short window,” Maj. N. said. “From the moment the missile landed at Ben Gurion Airport, only a short time passed before we got the call to prepare for the strike. That adds complexity, but because we’ve rehearsed this scenario before, we were able to get ready quickly. Intelligence preparation is a major component of both planning and execution. The fact that this wasn’t our first operation in Yemen helped – but still, every time we go there, we discover new things.”

Maj. N. recalled that the IAF had prepared for potential unforeseen threats along the lengthy route between Israel and Yemen.

“We prepared for the possibility of being targeted and made every effort – both in planning and execution – to avoid that, and it worked,” he stated. While the Israeli aerial strikes were successful, the Air Force commander emphasized that the margins for error are minimal, and even minor malfunctions can affect the entire complex long-distance operation.

“On missions like these, sometimes the most dangerous part is simply the distance from home. Even the smallest malfunction can become a game-changer in terms of making it back safely to land in Israel. For those scenarios, we have detailed contingency plans and responses,” he added.

IAF pilot Y. stressed the importance of professional communication between various squadrons.

“The communication is strictly professional. There’s almost no casual talk – that’s how we maintain operational focus. When you’re flying close to other aircraft, especially during refueling, you need to stay completely aware and oriented. You’re always thinking about the next moment,” Y. explained.

Expressing pride in the successful operations against the Houthis, Y. emphasized that the broader war against the Iranian regime and its terrorist proxies is far from over.

“On one hand, tremendous pride. I was honored to be given this responsibility. On the other hand, the war is not over. Hostages are still in captivity, forces are still fighting in Gaza. I’m now on standby to assist in Gaza. This was a localized success, but we keep pushing forward until we win,” Y. stated.

On Monday, the IAF launched "Operation Port City" – an aerial strike on the Houthi-held port of Hodeidah, located on the Red Sea. The port has been a key hub for transferring Iranian arms to the Houthis. The following day, Israeli airstrikes severely damaged the Houthi-controlled Sanaa Airport.

In October 2024, CNN reporter Nic Robertson provided exclusive coverage from onboard an Israeli refueling aircraft that accompanied fighter jets during an aerial strike on Houthi targets in Yemen.

"Saudi Arabia’s amber desert slides by to my right, Egypt’s coast to my left, and then a monstrous F-35 fighter jet fills the tiny screen. I am with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) – the first foreign journalist to be taken on a combat mission more than a thousand miles from Israel aboard a fighter jet refuel tanker," Robertson reported.