Sea Control Sea Control 563 - Red Sea Combat with CDR Brian C. Sánchez
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Feb 13, 2025 Commander Brian C. Sánchez, a U.S. Navy veteran and former commanding officer of the USS Gravely, shares riveting insights from his deployment in the Red Sea. He discusses the intense challenges faced, detailing operational decisions and critical engagements, including Tomahawk strikes. Sánchez emphasizes the importance of coalition strength in responding to threats like anti-ship cruise missiles and UAV attacks, showcasing how data-driven strategies enhance maritime defense. His firsthand experiences provide a gripping look at modern naval warfare.
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Red Sea Deployment Shift
- CDR Brian C. Sánchez describes Gravely's Red Sea deployment, initially planned for exercises, which quickly shifted to respond to Houthi attacks.
- They engaged various threats, including UAVs, missiles, and USVs, highlighting the dynamic nature of the deployment.
Unmanned Surface Vessel Threat
- Sánchez recounts an incident with USS Mason, where they encountered unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in the Red Sea.
- These small boats, packed with explosives, posed a significant threat despite their basic design.
CIWS Engagement
- Sánchez details the January 30th CIWS engagement in the Red Sea, where Gravely was targeted by an anti-ship cruise missile.
- The crew successfully defended the ship using a layered defense approach, combining SM2s, ESSMs, CWIS, and countermeasures.
