US Struck Over 13,000 Targets in Operation Epic Fury, Pentagon Confirms 13 Troop Deaths

Washington, April 2026 : The United States carried out strikes on more than 13,000 targets during Operation Epic Fury, in one of the largest and most intensive military campaigns in recent history, the Pentagon said on Wednesday. The operation, while described as highly effective, also resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members.

Speaking on the scale and scope of the campaign, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General Dan Caine, said the numbers reflect the vast reach and operational intensity of the mission. “Since the beginning of major combat operations, the United States joint forces struck more than 13,000 targets,” he stated.

Of these, over 4,000 were dynamic battlefield targets that emerged in real time and were immediately engaged using advanced command-and-control systems. This rapid response capability, officials said, was key to maintaining pressure on Iranian forces throughout the campaign.

The operation involved more than 10,000 missions, including 62 long-range bomber sorties. Some of these missions lasted over 30 hours round-trip, flying directly from the United States to strike targets in Iran. “No other military in the world can do that,” Caine remarked, highlighting the logistical strength and global reach of US forces.

The strikes targeted a broad spectrum of Iran’s military infrastructure. According to the Pentagon, US forces destroyed more than 450 ballistic missile storage facilities and 801 drone storage sites. Additionally, over 1,500 air defence targets were hit, effectively eliminating around 80 percent of Iran’s air defence capabilities.

Caine also revealed that the campaign significantly disrupted Iran’s military coordination systems. More than 2,000 command and control nodes were struck, severely limiting Tehran’s ability to organise and execute operations. “We’ve devastated Iran’s command and control and logistical networks,” he said.

Naval operations formed a crucial component of the campaign. The US reported that more than 90 percent of Iran’s naval fleet was destroyed, including major surface vessels. Over 95 percent of naval mines were neutralised through more than 700 targeted strikes, ensuring safer maritime conditions in the region.

The offensive extended to Iran’s defence manufacturing sector as well. Around 90 percent of its weapons production facilities, including those linked to drones and missile components, were struck. Caine added that nearly 80 percent of Iran’s nuclear industrial base had been hit during the operation, significantly weakening its strategic capabilities.

The scale of the campaign required extensive deployment, with over 50,000 US personnel operating across the Central Command theatre and supporting bases. Troops maintained continuous operations for more than five weeks, managing complex logistics under demanding conditions.

Despite the operational success, the Pentagon acknowledged the human cost of the mission. “We never forget our fallen and their families… especially those 13 fallen from Operation Epic Fury,” Caine said, paying tribute to the service members who lost their lives.

He emphasised that such losses highlight the inherent risks of military operations, even in campaigns deemed strategically successful. “This is gritty and unforgiving business… chaotic, hot, dark, unpredictable,” he noted.

According to US officials, Operation Epic Fury has significantly degraded Iran’s ability to project military power in the region and threaten US interests. However, the scale of destruction and the loss of lives underscore the high stakes involved in the conflict and its lasting implications for regional security.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)