Washington – U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released videos showing the launch of missiles and the takeoff of fighter jets as part of attacks intended to “dismantle the security apparatus of the Iranian regime,” within the framework of the military offensive being carried out jointly with Israel.
The U.S. Military reported striking more than 1250 targets in the first 48 hours of the war against Iran. Targeted locations included command-and-control centers, ballistic missile sites, Iranian naval vessels and submarines and anti-ship missile sites. Over 1000 targets were reportedly struck on the first day of the conflict.
The Pentagon officially named the operation “Operation Epic Fury.” The military campaign followed an unprecedented deployment of U.S. Forces to the Middle East, with the Trump administration concentrating its greatest combat capability in decades in the region, including strategic assets and state-of-the-art weaponry.
Advanced Weaponry Deployed
CENTCOM detailed the weaponry used in the initial days of the war, ranging from long-range stealth bombers to anti-missile defense systems deployed to intercept retaliatory attacks. Among the most relevant platforms are the B-2 stealth bombers, considered the most powerful combat aircraft in the U.S. Air Force, costing over $1 billion per unit. These aircraft launched 1000-kilogram bombs against Iranian ballistic missile facilities.
U.S. Forces also used Lucas unidirectional drones for the first time in combat, deployed by the Task Force Scorpion Strike unit. These low-cost attack drones are based on the Iranian-made Shahed-136 model used extensively by Russia in the war in Ukraine.
Two U.S. Aircraft carriers – the USS Abraham Lincoln, deployed in the Arabian Sea, and the USS Gerald R. Ford, located in the eastern Mediterranean off Israel – participated in the initial operations. F/A-18 and F-35 fighters operated from the Lincoln, while guided-missile destroyers fired Tomahawk cruise missiles against targets in Iranian territory.
Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, present in the region, can carry up to 96 Tomahawk missiles each and are equipped with the Aegis anti-missile defense system, protecting naval combat groups and land-based facilities from ballistic attacks. Patriot missile batteries and THAAD (Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense) systems were deployed to intercept drones and missiles launched by Iran in retaliation.
The operation also involved a range of combat aircraft, including F-16, F/A-18, F-22, and F-35 fighters, as well as A-10 attack aircraft. Specialized platforms like the EA-18G Growler, designed for electronic warfare, were used to interfere with enemy radars and communication systems.
U.S. Forces deployed airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft, such as the E-3 Sentry and E-2 Hawkeye, to detect enemy aircraft and ships up to 400 kilometers away and transmit real-time information to command centers and naval units. EA-11 BACN aircraft, known as “Wi-Fi in the sky,” were also observed, connecting tactical communications between air and ground forces.
Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance tasks were carried out by P-8A Poseidon and RC-135 aircraft, while MQ-9 Reaper drones were used to attack high-value targets with Hellfire missiles and guided bombs. On the ground, M-142 HIMARS high-mobility artillery rocket systems participated in precision strikes with a range of over 480 kilometers.
The complex operation was supported by a logistics network including KC-135 and KC-46 tanker aircraft for in-flight refueling, as well as supply ships maintaining warships in continuous operation at sea. C-17 Globemaster and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft transported troops and ammunition to the Middle East in the days leading up to the attacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the stated purpose of the U.S. Attacks?
The attacks were described by CENTCOM as being intended to “dismantle the security apparatus of the Iranian regime.”
How many targets were struck in the first 48 hours?
The U.S. Military reported striking more than 1250 targets in the first 48 hours of the war against Iran, with over 1000 targets struck on the first day alone.
What types of military assets were used in the operation?
The operation involved a wide range of assets, including B-2 stealth bombers, Tomahawk cruise missiles, F/A-18 and F-35 fighters, Patriot and THAAD missile defense systems, and MQ-9 Reaper drones.
As this conflict unfolds, what impact will these initial strikes have on the broader geopolitical landscape?