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First American ace since the Vietnam War?

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In the skies above the volatile Red Sea, U.S. Marine Corps Captain Earl Ehrhart V has become a silent guardian against Houthi drone threats. As an AV-8B Harrier pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced), attached to the elite 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)), Captain Ehrhart has amassed an impressive record: seven confirmed Houthi drones intercepted since December 2023.

231226-M-VB101-1095 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Dec. 26, 2023) U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Earl Ehrhart V, an AV-8B Harrier pilot attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)), receives signals during flight operations aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), Dec. 26. Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), embarked on the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, are on a scheduled deployment as the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command crisis response force with elements deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation to increase maritime security and stability, and to defend U.S., Allied, and Partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew Romonoyske-Bean)


Operating within the U.S. Fifth Fleet’s area of responsibility, Captain Ehrhart and his fellow Harrier pilots play a crucial role in safeguarding maritime traffic and deterring Houthi aggression. These nimble aircraft, boasting vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities, offer unparalleled flexibility and rapid response in the region’s complex airspace.

While details of specific missions remain classified, Captain Ehrhart’s achievements speak for themselves. His tally of neutralized drones underscores the effectiveness of Marine aviation in countering emerging threats and maintaining regional stability. With seven drones falling victim to his Harrier’s precision, Captain Ehrhart’s name is etched among the ranks of those who guard the skies. While the traditional definition of an “ace” might be evolving in the drone age, his achievements speak volumes about his exceptional talent and courage.

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One thought on “First American ace since the Vietnam War?”

  1. Send this Harrier with 7 kills to the Udvar Hazy Museum to be next to a F-4J Phantom with a single kill from Vietnam, F -14 Tomcat with a kill from Libya in 1989. Tap on a clip to paste it in the text box. The F/A-18 C is a Blue Angels aircraft.

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