CENTCOM Drops Major Update on “Operation Epic Fury” — Over 50,000 U.S. Troops, 200 Jets, Two Aircraft Carriers, B-2 and B-1 Stealth Bombers Deployed and Reinforcements Coming

 

The United States military has launched one of the largest combat operations in the Middle East in decades, and according to U.S. Central Command leadership, the mission is only just beginning.

In a major operational briefing, U.S. Central Command Commander Admiral Brad Cooper revealed that “Operation Epic Fury” has already unleashed massive American and Israeli firepower against Iran’s military infrastructure just days into the campaign.

The operation, ordered by President Donald Trump and the U.S. Secretary of War, aims to cripple Iran’s ability to threaten American forces, allies, and international shipping after nearly 50 years of Iranian aggression and terrorism.

Speaking just four days into the operation, Cooper said the scale of the deployment is historic.

“More than 50,000 troops, 200 fighters, two aircraft carriers, and bombers from the United States are participating in this operation—and more capabilities are on the way."

According to CENTCOM, the massive buildup represents the largest U.S. military deployment to the Middle East in a generation.

Cooper compared the opening phase of the campaign to the famous “Shock and Awe” strikes of the 2003 Iraq War, but revealed that the current operation is even larger.

In fact, CENTCOM says the first 24 hours of Operation Epic Fury were nearly double the scale of the initial strikes in Iraq in 2003.

And the attacks have not slowed down.

American and Israeli forces are now conducting 24/7 strikes against Iranian targets across multiple domains, land, sea, air, cyber, and even space-based capabilities.

Less than 100 hours into the campaign, the results are staggering.

According to CENTCOM:

• Nearly 2,000 Iranian targets have already been struck
• More than 2,000 precision munitions have been deployed
• Hundreds of ballistic missiles, launchers, and drones have been destroyed
• Iranian air defense systems have been severely degraded

Cooper summed up the strategy bluntly:

“In simple terms, we’re focused on shooting all the things that can shoot at us."

BREAKING: President Trump says US government will backstop war insurance for all shipping in the Persian Gulf.

In addition, he says the U.S. Navy will provide naval escort to tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. But note the “… as soon as possible…” which isn’t very reassuring pic.twitter.com/ifPUmv9Y3h

— Javier Blas (@JavierBlas) March 3, 2026