The Jacksonville-based USS Mason that deployed to Israel last month was likely not the target of a missile shot from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, the Pentagon press secretary told reporters.
According to the Military Times, Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters a commercial tanker and the U.S. destroyer responded to a distress call Tuesday. The Pentagon now believes at least one missile was fired by Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
The destroyer arrived at Naval Station Mayport in August. It's one of three Jacksonville-based ships responding to the conflict.
It responded to a distress call for a vessel owned by an Israeli businessman, the Central Park. The Military Times said it was initially reported that two missiles were fired and fell about 10 nautical miles from USS Mason, Ryder said that the Department of Defense can now confirm the Houthis fired at least one missile. He could say the missile's target.
“When it comes to our forces, as I highlighted, we’re going to do whatever we need to do to ensure that they stay protected. I’m not going to telegraph or forecast or speculate on any potential strikes that we might take in the region other than to say we will do what’s necessary to protect our forces,” Ryder told reporters.
The Department of Defense also has not yet determined if there is a connection between Yemen and the five Somali individuals still in Navy custody aboard Mason, a defense official told USNI News. The five individuals were picked up by Mason‘s crew while attempting to flee in the direction of Yemen.