Pentagon Details Scope of Operation Epic Fury

At a Pentagon press conference, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine outlined the scale of Operation Epic Fury, launched February 28 at 1:15 a.m. Eastern under authorization from President Donald Trump.

In the first 24 hours, more than 100 aircraft struck over 1,000 targets, including long-range B-2 bomber missions flying from the United States to fortified sites. Two carrier strike groups launched Tomahawk missiles, while cyber and space operations disrupted communications ahead of the initial wave of strikes.

U.S. air defense systems, including Patriot and THAAD batteries and Navy destroyers, intercepted hundreds of incoming ballistic missiles. Regional partners such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates assisted in defensive efforts. The Pentagon confirmed four U.S. service members were killed in action as major combat operations continue.