WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 50,000 U.S. service members are currently involved in a large-scale military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury, a Pentagon operation targeting Iranian military capabilities and maritime assets across the region, defense officials said Friday.
What This Means for You
- Large U.S. Military Operation Underway: More than 50,000 troops are participating in operations targeting Iranian military assets.
- Escalating Conflict at Sea and Air: Thousands of targets and dozens of ships linked to Iranian operations have been struck.
- Increased Homeland Security Coordination: A new National Guard unit has been activated to support security in Washington, D.C.
Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson said the operation began February 28 and has since focused on gaining control of air and maritime domains while striking Iranian military targets.
According to U.S. Central Command, about 6,000 targets have been hit so far, including more than 60 ships and 30 naval minelayers that were damaged or destroyed.
Those strikes are intended to weaken Iran’s ability to threaten U.S. forces and international shipping lanes.
“We continue to deliver devastating combat power. Every day our resolve increases and the regime’s ability to threaten our forces, our partners and the American people, is being systematically dismantled,” Wilson said.
Operation Targets Air, Sea, and Military Infrastructure
The Pentagon said a wide range of military systems are being used in the operation.
These include bombers, fighter jets, reconnaissance aircraft, electronic warfare systems, unmanned aerial systems, missile defense platforms, artillery, warships, counter-drone technology, refueling aircraft, and cargo planes supporting the mission.
Officials said the combination of air, sea, and intelligence capabilities has allowed U.S. forces to conduct sustained strikes across the region.
Civilian Port Warning Issued in Strait of Hormuz
On March 11, U.S. Central Command warned that Iranian forces were using civilian ports along the Strait of Hormuz to conduct military operations.
The strait is a critical global shipping route through which a large portion of the world’s oil supply moves.
Military officials warned that civilian facilities used for military purposes could lose their protected status under international law.
“This dangerous action risks the lives of innocent people. Civilian ports used for military purposes lose protected status and become legitimate military targets under international law,” the warning said.
Pentagon Honors Service Members Killed in Operation
Wilson said the War Department is honoring service members who were killed while supporting Operation Epic Fury.
“These patriots paid the price in full, and the Department of War will deliver total victory in their name,” she said.
New National Guard Brigade Activated in Washington
Separately, the District of Columbia National Guard activated the 260th Special Purpose Brigade at the D.C. National Guard Armory on March 7.
According to defense officials, the brigade is the only Army unit specifically designed to coordinate military support for civil authorities and help protect critical infrastructure in the nation’s capital.
The unit was created following President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order 14339 and a directive from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
“The brigade will coordinate military support to civil authorities and enable National Guard forces to rapidly integrate with federal and local agencies responsible for safeguarding our capital,” Wilson said.
U.S. Marshal Jurgen Soekhoe said the new unit will strengthen coordination between law enforcement and military forces during major security events.
“Partnerships like this are essential in Washington,” Soekhoe said. “The 260th Special Purpose Brigade brings a level of coordination and readiness that allows federal law enforcement and the National Guard to operate as a unified team when security demands it.”
Arctic Military Exercise Concludes in Alaska and Greenland
Wilson also said the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command recently completed Arctic Edge 2026, a three-week military training exercise conducted in Alaska and Greenland.
The exercise brought together U.S. forces, allied militaries, and government agencies to practice operations in Arctic conditions.
Training objectives included cruise missile defense, protecting critical infrastructure such as Alaska power grids, countering small drones, testing new military technologies, and conducting Arctic survival training.
Counter-Terrorism Strike Conducted in Eastern Pacific
In a separate operation, Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a strike March 8 against a vessel linked to a designated terrorist organization operating along known drug-trafficking routes in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
According to the Pentagon, the strike was ordered by U.S. Southern Command commander Marine Corps Gen. Francis L. Donovan.
Officials said intelligence confirmed the vessel’s involvement in narcotics trafficking operations and that six male narco-terrorists were killed during the strike.
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