Military News

KC-135 Stratotanker Crashes During Operation Epic Fury UPDATE: All six crew members have been confirmed deceased. A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq on March 12 at approximately 2 p.m. ET while operating in support of Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. military campaign against Iran. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the aircraft went down in what it described as an “incident” occurring in friendly airspace. CENTCOM stated the crash was not the result of hostile or friendly fire. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation. Casualties and Rescue Efforts According to a March 13 CENTCOM release, f…

Conscription Resumes After 16-Year Hiatus Hundreds of teenage Croatians have reported for compulsory military service, marking the country’s return to conscription for the first time since it was abolished in 2008. Approximately 800 recruits make up the first intake under the reinstated system, signaling the formal launch of a program the government says is designed to strengthen national defense capacity. Training is being conducted at military barracks in three locations across Croatia. Recruits are assigned to facilities nearest their homes, where they receive uniforms, equipment, and dormitory placements before beginning a two-month period of structured milit…

From World War II Armadas to Modern Carrier Strike Groups As aircraft carriers converge around the war with Iran, many observers are asking the same question: how large is this naval buildup compared with past wars? Aircraft carriers have been the centerpiece of global naval warfare since World War II, allowing countries to project airpower across oceans without relying on land bases. But the number of carriers deployed in a conflict—and the combat power they represent—has changed dramatically over time. Understanding how today’s carrier deployments compare with past wars helps put the current naval buildup into perspective. World War II: The Largest C…

U.S., French, and potentially British carriers The growing war surrounding Iran is rapidly becoming one of the largest naval deployments in the Middle East in decades, with multiple aircraft carriers already operating in the theater and others potentially preparing to join them. At least two U.S. aircraft carriers are currently supporting combat operations, while a French carrier has also moved into the broader region. Additional deployments from the United States and the United Kingdom could raise the total to as many as five carriers operating around the conflict zone. If that number materializes, it would represent one of the largest concentrations of Wes…

UK Cuts HMS Prince of Wales Readiness Time Amid Middle East Tensions The United Kingdom has reduced the deployment readiness of HMS Prince of Wales from 10 days to five as tensions escalate in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Reported on March 7 by Sky News, the decision places British naval personnel on shortened notice, enabling rapid activation of the Royal Navy’s carrier strike capability should the government opt to reinforce allied operations in the region. The adjustment does not confirm an imminent deployment but provides London with greater operational flexibility as the regional security environment evolves. A carrier strik…

U.S. Deploying Proven Counter-Drone System to Middle East The United States will deploy an American-made counter-drone system to the Middle East to strengthen defenses against Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles, according to two U.S. officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The system, known as Merops, has logged more than 1,000 successful interceptions of Iranian-designed Shahed drones during operations in Ukraine. U.S. forces have previously relied on Patriot and THAAD missile defense systems to intercept Iranian ballistic missiles. However, officials acknowledge that effective countermeasures against lower-cost drones remain limited…

Ukrainian Forces Report Halt of Russian Push Toward Zaporizhzhia Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) announced on March 7 that joint operations with the Armed Forces have halted a Russian advance toward the city of Zaporizhzhia following a three-month defensive campaign in southern Ukraine. The agency did not disclose the precise sector where the Russian offensive was stopped but stated that the effort was aimed at preventing further movement toward the regional capital. The claim comes amid a broader slowdown in Russian advances across multiple front-line sectors during the winter months, reflecting patterns observed in the previous year. At the same ti…

Limited incursions target Hezbollah positions amid widening regional war Israel has begun ground operations inside southern Lebanon, opening a new front in the widening Middle East conflict that began with the U.S.–Iran war under Operation Epic Fury. The Israeli military says the operations are aimed at destroying Hezbollah infrastructure and preventing cross-border attacks, following a wave of rocket and drone strikes launched by the Iran-backed group into northern Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that troops crossed the Israel–Lebanon boundary, known as the Blue Line, after days of escalating airstrikes against Hezbollah targets across Lebanon.…

Drone and Missile Attacks on Regional Bases Trigger a Growing International Military Response The war between the United States and Iran under Operation Epic Fury is increasingly drawing other nations into the conflict, not through political declarations, but through direct military responses to Iranian missile and drone strikes on foreign bases, cities, and infrastructure. In the days following the initial U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran, Tehran launched a wave of retaliation across the Middle East and beyond, targeting U.S. bases and allied facilities in multiple countries. The result has been a rapid expansion of defensive deployments and military activity by nat…

Submarine Torpedo Sinks Iranian Frigate in Indian Ocean The United States confirmed that a U.S. Navy submarine sank the Iranian Navy frigate IRIS Dena with a torpedo in international waters of the Indian Ocean on March 4, 2026. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the attack marked the first time since World War II that an American submarine has sunk a warship with a torpedo in combat. It is also the third confirmed instance globally of a surface warship being sunk by a submarine torpedo since 1945. The strike occurred amid an expanding regional conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. In the days surrounding the incident, military opera…

Ukrainian Strike Hits Russian Naval Assets in Novorossiysk Ukrainian forces struck the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk on March 2, damaging three naval vessels and killing three sailors, according to a source in Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). Fourteen additional personnel were reportedly injured. The SBU source said the operation was conducted in coordination with Ukraine’s Defense Forces. The minesweeper Valentin Pikul was hit, while two anti-submarine ships, the Yeysk and the Kasimov, sustained what the source described as severe damage. A fire at the port reportedly burned throughout the night. In addition to naval vessels, the strike allegedly …

Joint U.S.-Ecuador Operations Target Designated Trafficking Groups U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced Tuesday that American and Ecuadorian forces have begun joint military operations in Ecuador aimed at dismantling what it described as “narco-terrorist” organizations. In a statement, SOUTHCOM said the mission seeks to confront groups responsible for “terror, violence, and corruption” across the hemisphere. The operation marks the first publicly announced U.S. ground mission in South America since the high-profile raid targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. It is also the first confirmed mission since U.S. troops returned this winter to a form…

PrSM Employed in Combat for First Time During Operation Epic Fury US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that the US Army’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) has been used in combat for the first time since its fielding in late 2023. The employment occurred during Operation Epic Fury, according to an official statement posted on CENTCOM’s social media channels. “In a historic first, long-range Precision Strike Missiles (PrSMs) were used in combat during Operation Epic Fury, providing an unrivaled deep strike capability,” the command stated. Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said the operation demonstrated the military’s ability to leverage innovation to create o…

Qatar Downs Two Iranian Su-24MK Bombers During Airspace Intercept Qatar’s Ministry of Defense confirmed on March 2, 2026, that the Qatar Emiri Air Force shot down two Iranian Su-24MK tactical bombers as they approached national airspace. The engagement occurred on the third day of combat operations associated with Operation Epic Fury, also referred to as Roaring Lion. It marks the first confirmed destruction of an Iranian aircraft in flight since the outbreak of the 2026 Iran war. According to the ministry, the aircraft were intercepted immediately after detection in accordance with established operational plans. The air force conducted the aircraft engagement, w…

France Announces “Forward Deterrence” Strategy French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will increase its nuclear arsenal and, for the first time, permit the temporary deployment of nuclear-armed aircraft to allied European countries. The policy, described as “forward deterrence,” is intended to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy amid ongoing security concerns linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and shifting U.S. defense priorities. Speaking at the L’Ile Longue naval base, home to France’s ballistic missile submarines, Macron said the initiative would allow “the temporary deployment of elements of our strategic air forces to allied countr…

RAF F-35s Record First Combat Kill Over Jordan British Royal Air Force F-35B Lightning II aircraft have achieved their first confirmed combat kill, downing hostile drones over Jordan, the UK Ministry of Defence announced Tuesday. The engagement marks the first time an RAF F-35 has destroyed a target during operational deployment. According to the ministry, the stealth fighters were supported by Typhoon aircraft and a Voyager aerial refueling tanker during the mission. The interception occurred amid escalating regional tensions following Iranian retaliatory strikes against US and Israeli targets. Broader Drone Interceptions Across the Region In addit…

Ukraine Reports Net Territorial Gains in February 2026 Ukrainian forces captured more territory in February 2026 than Russian troops seized during the same period, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on March 2. The statement follows a winter slowdown in Russian advances across much of the front line, while Ukrainian units conducted offensive actions in select sectors. Syrskyi described the period as a difficult winter campaign, noting that Ukraine’s relative territorial gains were the highest since the start of its incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast in summer 2024. On Feb. 21, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian forces had liberated 300 square ki…

Three U.S. F-15s Lost Over Kuwait in Allied Air Defense Misidentification The United States Central Command has confirmed that three U.S. fighter jets were shot down by friendly fire during Operation Epic Fury, marking the first confirmed U.S. aircraft losses of the conflict, not due to Iranian action, but to a misidentification by allied air defenses. According to CENTCOM, the incident occurred late March 1 during active combat operations over Kuwait, as coalition forces responded to a dense and rapidly evolving threat environment involving Iranian missiles, drones, and aircraft. What Happened CENTCOM stated that three U.S. Air Force F‑15E Strike Eagle …

In an escalating phase of Operation Epic Fury, the USS Gerald R. Ford has entered active support of U.S. combat operations against Iran, marking a significant intensification of American naval involvement in the conflict. According to United States Central Command (CENTCOM), the nuclear-powered supercarrier is “in the fight” and has been conducting sorties from its flight deck in support of strikes against Iranian military infrastructure and strategic targets. The carrier’s aircraft, including fighters and support platforms, have flown missions as part of the broader joint operation with Israeli forces that began on February 28. Ford Takes the Lead in Naval…

The United Kingdom’s involvement in the widening Operation Epic Fury conflict has taken a new turn after an Iranian-made drone strike hit RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, prompting London to shift toward a more active defensive role while insisting it is not formally at war with Tehran. Timeline of UK Developments March 1 – UK Grants U.S. Use of British Bases for Defensive Strikes Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the United Kingdom would allow United States Armed Forces to use British military facilities — including RAF bases — for specific and limited defensive strikes against Iranian missile depots and launchers. Starmer emphasized that the decision was made…

Afghan Forces Fire on Pakistani Jets as Conflict Enters Fourth Day Fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan escalated sharply today, with Afghan forces firing on Pakistani aircraft over Kabul, marking one of the most serious developments yet in a conflict that both sides now describe as open warfare. According to multiple international reports, explosions and gunfire were heard in the Afghan capital as Afghan air defenses engaged Pakistani jets amid claims of attempted strikes on Bagram Air Base, a strategically significant site north of Kabul. The engagement underscores how the conflict has expanded beyond border clashes into direct state-to-state military conf…

Maritime Warfare Emerges as a Central Front in the U.S.–Iran Conflict As Operation Epic Fury continues, naval combat has emerged as a significant and increasingly visible component of the conflict, with the United States Navy confirming strikes against Iranian naval assets and Iranian forces attempting to contest maritime control across the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters. U.S. officials have stated that degrading Iran’s naval capabilities is a deliberate component of the operation, aimed at neutralizing Tehran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation, regional bases, and commercial shipping. U.S. Confirms Strikes on Iranian Warships President Tru…

No Formal Ceasefire Offer Confirmed, but Both Sides Signal Openness to Future Talks As fighting continues under Operation Epic Fury, public discourse has increasingly framed Iran’s statements about rejecting a ceasefire as evidence that Tehran turned down a formal U.S. peace offer. Current reporting, however, does not support that interpretation. There is no verified confirmation that the United States formally offered Iran a ceasefire that was then rejected. Instead, Iranian statements appear to reflect a broader posture that Tehran is not willing to accept a ceasefire under current combat conditions, rather than a refusal of a specific diplomatic proposal. …

Belgian Forces Seize Sanctioned Tanker in North Sea Operation Belgian armed forces have intercepted and seized the oil tanker Ethera in the North Sea, marking the country’s first direct confiscation of a vessel linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet. The operation, conducted with French support, represents a shift from administrative sanctions enforcement to active maritime interdiction aimed at curbing Russian energy revenues. The tanker is being escorted under armed guard to the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, where it will be formally impounded under European Union sanctions authorities. Officials describe the action as a coordinated enforcement measure targetin…

U.S. Service Members Killed and Wounded in Iran Operations Three American service members were killed and five others seriously wounded during ongoing U.S. military operations against Iran, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed Sunday. The announcement marks the first publicly disclosed U.S. fatalities since the start of the current campaign. In a statement, CENTCOM said several additional personnel sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions and are in the process of returning to duty. The command described the situation as fluid and stated that major combat operations remain underway. The identities of the deceased have not been released pending n…