Operation Epic Fury has now entered the third week, with extra bombers arriving at RAF Fairford and a Marine Expeditionary Unit headed to the Center East.
After being initially anticipated to final simply few days, Operation Epic Fury has now entered its third week. Whereas it’s unclear how lengthy the U.S. plans to proceed the fight operations, CNN stories that the Israel Protection Forces (IDF) are planning to proceed their very own Operation Rising Lion for 3 extra weeks.
In the meantime, the U.S. Air Drive has deployed three extra B-52 Stratofortress bombers to RAF Fairford, UK, and ten F-35A Lightning II fighters arrived at RAF Lakenheath. Moreover, parts of an Amphibious Prepared Group (ARG) and a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), reportedly the united statesTripoli (LHA-7) and thirty first MEU, respectively, are on their method to the Center East.
B-1B Lancers – able to carrying a payload of 75,000 kilos – have operated over the Center East in assist of Operation Epic Fury. Nicknamed the BONE, B-1Bs maintain world information for pace, payload and vary. pic.twitter.com/pwYq7n1BMO
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 15, 2026
Bomber Exercise
On Mar. 13, 2026, three extra B-52 Stratofortress bombers arrived at RAF Fairford, UK, following a strike mission over Iran. Their arrival introduced the full variety of bombers on the British base to 18, together with 12 B-1B Lancers and 6 B-52s.
08:29 FLIP 61 flt x3 USAF B-52/H Statofortress’sInbound to RAF Fairford from CONUS through a placing mission in Iran.#FLIP61 flt wkg Swanwick 275.620 / A2A 323.750. pic.twitter.com/NyRVc4BtzF
— Andy (@Andyyyyrrrr) March 13, 2026
Extra B52 Stratofortress lengthy vary bombers have arrived at RAF Fairford. Three landed this morning. There at the moment are six on the bottom. They be part of a fleet of 12 B1 Lancers. Two B1 bombers took off this morning. Provides of JDAM bunker busting bombs proceed to be moved across the… pic.twitter.com/XxwfWSRKQD
— Richard Gaisford (@richardgaisford) March 13, 2026
As much as Mar. 15, 5 bomber missions have been noticed departing the UK, every involving not less than two B-1s. The primary mission was recorded on Mar. 10.
#USAF United States Air Drive – Iran WarGlobal Strike Command Operations / RAF Fairford15 March – 1045z
As of 0920z on the fifteenth of March, there have been 5 Air Drive World Strike Command bomber sorties launched from RAF Fairford, all up to now being Rockwell B-1B Lancer’s.… pic.twitter.com/WZ4PFj3lrk
— Armchair Admiral 🇬🇧 (@ArmchairAdml) March 15, 2026
The bombers have been utilizing each the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Floor Missile (JASSM) and the GBU-31 Joint Direct Assault Munition (JDAM), and particularly the GBU-31(V)3 primarily based on the BLU-109/B bunker buster. Each weapons have been sighted throughout loading and unloading procedures at Fairford.
Replace:
— Richard Gaisford (@richardgaisford) March 11, 2026
In the meantime, bomber round-trip missions are nonetheless being launched from CONUS. At the very least two B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and three B-52s have been noticed flying from the U.S. to Iran and again this week.
#FUJI31 flt (x3 B-52H) heading again to Barksdale AFB earlier immediately after a strike mission towards Iran, working New York HF 8825. pic.twitter.com/Xw38gGsor8
— EISNspotter (@EISNspotter) March 10, 2026
#ENTRY21 flt (x2 B-2) with Santa Maria HF 6628 this morning on their approach again west for Whiteman AFB after an Iran strike mission. pic.twitter.com/ZdvQeBBTiT
— EISNspotter (@EISNspotter) March 12, 2026
B-2 stealth bombers takeoff to conduct a mission throughout Operation Epic Fury, delivering long-range fireplace to not solely eradicate the menace from the Iranian regime immediately, but in addition eradicate their capacity to rebuild sooner or later. pic.twitter.com/ebyUYNnOLo
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 13, 2026
On Mar. 15, two B-52s loaded with 10 JASSMs every took off from Fairford on their method to Iran. Reportedly, the B-52s deployed to Fairford weren’t but employed in missions over Iran since their arrival within the UK, presumably making this their first mission.
pic.twitter.com/s0qJV0FQaE
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) March 15, 2026
B-52H “Stratofortress” Lengthy-Vary Strategic Bombers armed with AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Floor Standoff Missiles (JASSM) take off Sunday from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England, for strikes towards Iran in assist of Operation Epic Fury. pic.twitter.com/8o9BA9ZITg
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 15, 2026
Extra F-35s
Further F-35A Lightning II fighters are being deployed to the Center East. Ten plane arrived at RAF Lakenheath from Hill Air Drive Base, Utah, after a cease at Burlington Air Nationwide Guard Base, Vermont.
KC-135 #CLEAN71-72 & #CLEAN81-82 are up on Coronet East 046 with “HL” F-35A #TABOR81-86 & #TABOR91-94, that are en path to RAF Lakenheah from Burlington ANGB after diverting there on Thursday. KC-135 #CLEAN75 & #CLEAN85 from RAF Mildenhall will decide them up round 40W. pic.twitter.com/je8F8A5sbr
— EISNspotter (@EISNspotter) March 14, 2026
In a single day F-35 Arrivals to RAF Lakenheath #FreeIran— Operation EPIC FURY —
In a single day we had 10 new F-35A arrivals from the HL tailcode, supported by “CLEAN” callsign tankers. The jets are:
F-35A “TABOR81” 18-5477 #AE6A82F-35A “TABOR82” 20-5610 #AE6F4DF-35A “TABOR83″…
— DefenceGeek 🇬🇧 (@DefenceGeek) March 15, 2026
It’s unclear if these fighters will relieve a number of the F-35s deployed within the CENTCOM Space of Accountability or if they may complement them.
Zeus 95
As we reported on Mar. 12, 2026, a U.S. Air Drive KC-135R Stratotanker was misplaced throughout a mission over Iraq, with all six crew members killed within the crash. The plane, callsign Zeus 95, was operated by a combined crew of the 121st Air Refueling Wing from Rickenbacker Air Nationwide Guard Base, Ohio, and the sixth Air Refueling Wing from MacDill Air Drive Base, Florida.
We are going to always remember the KC-135 crew, Zeus 95, that paid the last word sacrifice. These heroes make up our whole drive crew and we mourn with their households. Their reminiscence strengthens our resolve to battle, as we stock their legacy ahead. NKAWTG…N!
— Basic Ken Wilsbach (@OfficialCSAF) March 15, 2026
A second plane was additionally concerned, but it surely was in a position to safely land at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. The KC-135 was lacking a big a part of its vertical stabilizer.
תיעוד: אחד ממטוסי התדלוק האמריקניים, שהיה מעורב אתמול בתאונה בשמי עיראק, צולם בנתב”ג ללא חלק משמעותי ממיצב הכיוון בזנב המטוס. תיעוד המטוס הגיע אלינו הבוקר, ומלמד משהו על התאונה החריגה במהלך התקיפות באיראן
המטוס השני שהיה מעורב בתאונה התרסק בעיראק, גורל ששת אנשי הצוות לא ידוע pic.twitter.com/igBPfEOZjf
— איתי בלומנטל 🇮🇱 Itay Blumental (@ItayBlumental) March 13, 2026
The causes of the mishap are nonetheless unknown, and an investigation has been launched by the Air Drive. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confused that the “lack of the plane was not resulting from hostile fireplace or pleasant fireplace,” and that the mishap occurred in “pleasant airspace.”
Marines Deployed
U.S. media reported that officers confirmed that components of an Amphibious Prepared Group (ARG) and a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) might be deployed to the CENTCOM’s AOR, after U.S. Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth authorized a request from the command.
The U.S. is sending the two,200 Marines and sailors of the thirty first Marine Expeditionary Unit from INDOPACOM to the Center East.
The thirty first MEU relies round the united statesTripoli (LHA 7) and its air wing of Ospreys and F-35s. pic.twitter.com/Q1ZMn9eBF8
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) March 13, 2026
Based on the stories, the united statesTripoli (LHA-7) and thirty first MEU are the weather at present crusing from the Pacific Ocean to the Center East, though it’s unclear if different warships are additionally current. Actually, the Tripoli ARG additionally consists of the united statesSan Diego (LPD-22) and USS New Orleans (LPD-18).
Satellite tv for pc imagery from earlier immediately, March 14, captured the America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) and her 2,500 embarked Marines with the thirty first Marine Expeditionary Unit (thirty first MEU), rapidly steaming in the direction of the Center East, having already entered the South… pic.twitter.com/U3jtPRPndn
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 14, 2026
A MEU is the U.S. Marine Corps’ cell, self-contained, fast response drive, with a complement of fully-integrated air and floor forces. The MEU consists of roughly 2,200 Marines and Sailors, divided in a Command Aspect, a Floor Fight Aspect, an Aviation Fight Aspect and a Logistics Fight Aspect.
When you’re questioning what a Marine Expeditionary Unit is, right here’s a write up I did final 12 months on the twenty fourth MEU. Whereas the unit being deployed is the thirty first MEU, the idea continues to be the identical.
For these focused on a extra detailed clarification from the specialists themselves, under are…
— TheIntelFrog (@TheIntelFrog) March 15, 2026
A extra in depth take a look at the Floor Fight Aspect (GCE).
3/ pic.twitter.com/CcCCGyDNzL
— TheIntelFrog (@TheIntelFrog) March 15, 2026
Among the many missions the MEU can undertake whereas deployed are Peacekeeping/Enforcement, Humanitarian/Catastrophe Reduction, Safety Operations, Noncombatant Evacuation Operations, Reinforcement Operations, Amphibious Raids/Assaults/Demonstrations, Tactical Deception Operations, Airfield/Port Seizures, Present-of-Drive Operations, Reconnaissance and Surveillance, and Seizure/Restoration of Offshore Vitality Services.
A-10s Nonetheless on the Frontlines
Whereas the U.S. Air Drive continues with its efforts to retire the A-10C Thunderbolt II, the platform has nonetheless one thing to say, because it continues for use at the same time as a part of Operation Epic Fury. It has been usually argued that the A-10 isn’t designed for fight operations in closely contested environments, however right here CENTCOM talked about the plane’s involvement in fight missions because the starting.
B-1B Lancers – able to carrying a payload of 75,000 kilos – have operated over the Center East in assist of Operation Epic Fury. Nicknamed the BONE, B-1Bs maintain world information for pace, payload and vary. pic.twitter.com/pwYq7n1BMO
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 15, 2026
Notably, the A-10 has been proven outfitted with AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles and AGR-20 laser-guided rockets. Its capacity to loiter for hours and effortlessly fly at low speeds makes it a super platform to counter OWA drones, along with placing targets of alternative.
U.S.-Israeli Strikes
U.S. and Israeli strikes are persevering with relentlessly, with the U.S. Central Command mentioned it has struck about 6,000 targets in Iran and the IDF saying it has carried out roughly 400 waves of strikes.
Among the many latest U.S. targets is Kharg Island, which serves as Iran’s oil export hub and is positioned round 15 nautical miles (24km) off the coast. CENTCOM says it has struck “greater than 90 Iranian army targets on Kharg Island, whereas preserving the oil infrastructure.”
Final night time, U.S. forces executed a large-scale precision strike on Kharg Island, Iran. The strike destroyed naval mine storage amenities, missile storage bunkers, and a number of different army websites. U.S. forces efficiently struck greater than 90 Iranian army targets on Kharg… pic.twitter.com/2X1glD4Flt
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 14, 2026
The strikes are persevering with to focus on each Iranian army functionality. A specific focus has been placed on the plane and ships employed by Iran’s army. Among the many targets are additionally the P-3 Orion maritime patrol plane.
IRIAF P-3F 5-8704 from 71 ASW squadron isn’t any extra.
Iran’s 5 P-3Fs that began the conflict had distinctive camo patterns for ID, in addition to you may partially make out the 5-___4 of the tail, which in of itself is a giveaway to the airframe’s ID. pic.twitter.com/SvMBibwWdI
— Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) March 12, 2026
New satellite tv for pc photographs additionally verify the destruction of the Iranian F-14 Tomcat fighters, beforehand present in movies by CENTCOM.
Thread: Excessive-resolution satellite tv for pc photos launched by @vantortech reveal harm at a number of new air bases and missile websites in Iran after US/Israeli strikes.
Photographs captured on 9 March present harm to Iranian F-14 Tomcats on the Isfahan air base (Shekari 8). pic.twitter.com/JjcbInnsdq
— Shayan Sardarizadeh (@Shayan86) March 11, 2026
A bloodbath of plane was perpetrated by Israeli fighter jets on the Iranian airbase in Isfahan. All warplanes have been utterly destroyed, together with these in fortified shelters. pic.twitter.com/HFjNAHySEk
— Ph.Gritti (@Philipp27960841) March 10, 2026
U.S. Navy plane are nonetheless among the many predominant property getting used within the strikes, with a number of movies and photographs from CENTCOM highlighting their position.
A U.S. Air Drive KC-135 Stratotanker refuels a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Tremendous Hornet over the center east throughout Operation Epic Fury. pic.twitter.com/3z9UzXyLt9
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 12, 2026
Whereas some could argue that Tremendous Hornets are primarily being employed to lob stand-off weapons at targets in Iran, it seems that the world has turn into permissive sufficient to conduct operations at low altitude. Movies emerged on-line present F/A-18s working freely at low altitude over the Iranian port metropolis of Chabahar, and in addition strafing targets with their M61 20 mm cannon.
Strafing run occurred final week, however Navy Tremendous Hornets have continued to function at low degree over Chabahar since.
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) March 15, 2026
Israeli F-35I Adir fighters have additionally been conducting not less than some missions with exterior hundreds and radar reflectors on, as proven by photos emerged all through the week.
Right here’s a a lot nearer take a look at an F-35I in a non-LO fight configuration carrying exterior GBU-31s and AIM-9Xs. Possible for Iran ops on condition that this was taken immediately. pic.twitter.com/2CyMRuTkIn
— Abd (@blocksixtynine) March 11, 2026
Iranian Retaliation
Though it has suffered heavy losses, Iran nonetheless continues to retaliate towards any Israel- and U.S.-linked goal within the area. The assaults are being performed primarily with ballistic missiles and one-way assault drones.
An assault that’s being famous is the one performed with First Particular person View (FPV) drones towards the previous Camp Victory exterior Baghdad, which U.S. forces left months in the past.
Second assault impacted the hanger right here: 33.264603 44.212980 pic.twitter.com/267gtzB8EE pic.twitter.com/zGYSnlm5ke
— Evan Hill (@evanhill) March 15, 2026
FPV drones at Baghdad Worldwide Airport pic.twitter.com/YP1e3yaQpa
— Samir (@obretix) March 15, 2026
Ali Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait has been repeatedly attacked by Iranian drones. In the latest assault, an Italian MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Plane (RPA), deployed there as a part of the Counter-ISIS coalition, was destroyed when a drone struck the shelter the place it was parked.
— Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) March 13, 2026
Italian Air Drive MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Automobile destroyed in drone assault on Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. No personnel have been harmed, in line with the Italian MoD. pic.twitter.com/aaVCTBlwYf
— The Aviationist (@TheAviationist) March 15, 2026
