As Iran reportedly primes its regional proxies, a chilling account from a 2025 U.S. air campaign in Yemen is resurfacing. During Operation Rough Rider, F-16 “Wild Weasel” pilots struck Houthi missile sites—only to be caught in a deadly SAM ambush moments later. Six missiles, high-G turns, fading fuel and a last-second tanker rescue turned the night sky into a survival test. Officials now fear similar tactics could be used in a wider confrontation. With carriers massing and tensions spiking, this near-miss reads like a warning shot.
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