Analytics and Reports, Country Analytics, Military Analytics, Uncategorized

Operation Epic Fury: United States Military Order of Battle and Strike Posture in the CENTCOM AOR

Executive Summary

As of late February 2026, the United States Armed Forces, acting in direct coordination with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), have initiated major kinetic combat operations against the Islamic Republic of Iran under the Department of Defense operational designation “Operation Epic Fury”.1 This military action, launched in tandem with the Israeli operations codenamed “Lion’s Roar” and “Shield of Judah,” represents the culmination of an unprecedented, multi-domain force buildup across the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) and European Command (EUCOM) Areas of Responsibility (AOR).2 The current deployment and subsequent combat operations mark the most significant concentration of American naval, aerial, and logistical combat power in the Middle Eastern theater since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, effectively dwarfing previous regional deterrence postures and operations.5

The contemporary United States Order of Battle (ORBAT) is strategically anchored by a geographically distributed, highly survivable dual-carrier strike force architecture. Carrier Strike Group Three (CSG-3), operating the Nimitz-class USS Abraham Lincoln, is actively deployed in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, projecting sustained combat power directly into Iran’s southern threat vectors and maritime chokepoints.8 Concurrently, Carrier Strike Group Twelve (CSG-12), led by the Ford-class USS Gerald R. Ford, has established a forward operating presence in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea near the coastlines of Israel and Crete.5 This specific geographic positioning deliberately isolates the high-value flagship from Iran’s anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) envelopes while utilizing an extensive, trans-continental aerial refueling bridge to project carrier-based strike capabilities deep into Iranian sovereign territory.5

Land-based expeditionary air power has surged to encompass over 330 combat and specialized support aircraft positioned across allied host nations, representing an approximate 10% increase in regional air assets within the final 48 hours prior to the commencement of kinetic strikes.14 Data indicates that combat aircraft constitute approximately 65% of this total deployed force, supported by a dense network of electronic warfare, command and control, and aerial refueling platforms.14 This air armada is characterized by a heavy reliance on fifth-generation low-observable platforms (F-35A/C, F-22), advanced electronic warfare (EW) and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) assets (EA-18G, EA-37B), and an exceptionally robust Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) architecture (RC-135, MQ-4C, E-3).14

The defensive posture established to protect these offensive assets is equally robust and has already been kinetically validated. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Patriot PAC-3 systems are actively engaging retaliatory Iranian ballistic missile launches aimed at forward staging bases.17 This was notably demonstrated by recent successful exo-atmospheric intercepts over Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which safeguarded critical USAF reconnaissance and refueling infrastructure.17 The operational integration of cyber warfare with conventional electronic attack platforms has successfully degraded Iranian integrated air defense systems (IADS), specifically targeting S-300 and S-400 equivalents, facilitating the successful ingress of allied strike packages in the opening salvos of Operation Epic Fury.18

Current Order of Battle (ORBAT)

The following sections detail the verified and assessed dispositions of United States military assets within the CENTCOM and adjacent EUCOM AORs, categorized by domain.

Naval Surface and Subsurface Posture

The maritime component of the current US force posture is engineered to establish multi-axis sea control, provide layered ballistic missile defense (BMD) for regional allies and staging bases, and deliver overwhelming long-range precision fires via BGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAM). The naval ORBAT is strategically distributed across the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and the Persian Gulf, forcing Iranian defense planners to calculate threats from 360 degrees.9

Carrier Strike Groups (CSG)

The deployment of a dual-carrier formation provides combatant commanders with nearly continuous, 24-hour sortie generation capabilities. The geographic separation of the two strike groups maximizes threat axes while complicating Iranian counter-targeting efforts.

Unit DesignationPlatform / ClassCurrent Location AssessedKey Embarked Assets / Composition
Carrier Strike Group 3 (CSG-3)USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) Nimitz-classArabian Sea / Gulf of Oman 8CVW-9: VMFA-314 (F-35C), VFA squadrons (F/A-18E/F), VAQ-133 “Wizards” (EA-18G w/ ALQ-249 NGJ), VAW-117 (E-2D).21
Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG-12)USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) Ford-classEastern Mediterranean Sea (near Israel/Crete) 11CVW-8: VFA-31, 37, 87, 213 (F/A-18E/F), VAQ-142 (EA-18G), VAW-124 (E-2D).27 Nearing 300-day deployment record.29

Deployed to the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, CSG-3 provides the primary southern axis of attack against Iranian military infrastructure.5 The presence of Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) brings critical fifth-generation capabilities to the maritime domain via Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (VMFA-314) operating the F-35C Lightning II.25 Furthermore, the embarkation of Electronic Attack Squadron 133 (VAQ-133), the “Wizards,” is of paramount strategic importance. VAQ-133 is currently the vanguard unit deploying the AN/ALQ-249 Next Generation Jammer (NGJ), an advanced electronic warfare pod that significantly enhances the EA-18G Growler’s ability to blind and suppress sophisticated, multi-frequency Iranian radar networks.21

Originally deployed to the Caribbean Sea for Operation Southern Spear, CSG-12 was rapidly repositioned across the Atlantic, transited the Strait of Gibraltar, and is currently operating in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea near the Israeli coast and Crete.10 This positioning protects the carrier from Iranian anti-ship ballistic missiles while utilizing an aerial refueling bridge to allow its air wing to strike Iranian targets.5 The Ford-class brings advanced Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch Systems (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) to the theater, theoretically permitting a higher sortie generation rate than legacy Nimitz-class carriers, though the vessel and its crew are currently being pushed to the limits of operational endurance as they near a 300-day continuous deployment.13

Independent Surface Action Groups and Destroyer Squadrons (DESRON)

To secure vital maritime chokepoints and augment the Tomahawk strike package, a formidable fleet of guided-missile destroyers (DDG) has been forward-deployed. These Arleigh Burke-class vessels are dual-hatted: they serve as the primary Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) shield for allied assets while concurrently acting as the principal launch platforms for hundreds of TLAMs. Open-source intelligence analysts estimate that the assembled naval combat power could unleash over 600 Tomahawk missiles in a single coordinated salvo.31

Unit DesignationPlatform / ClassCurrent Location AssessedPrimary Operational Mandate
USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG-121)Arleigh Burke-class DDGNorth Arabian Sea 32CSG-3 Escort / Air Defense / Strike.32
USS Spruance (DDG-111)Arleigh Burke-class DDGNorth Arabian Sea 32CSG-3 Escort / Air Defense / Strike.32
USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112)Arleigh Burke-class DDGNorth Arabian Sea 32CSG-3 Escort / Air Defense / Strike.32
USS Bainbridge (DDG-96)Arleigh Burke-class DDGEastern Mediterranean Sea 33CSG-12 Escort / Air Defense / Strike.28
USS Mahan (DDG-72)Arleigh Burke-class DDGEastern Mediterranean Sea 33CSG-12 Escort / Air Defense / Strike.28
USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81)Arleigh Burke-class DDGEastern Mediterranean Sea 33CSG-12 Escort / Air Defense / Strike.28
USS Bulkeley (DDG-84)Arleigh Burke-class DDGEastern Mediterranean Sea 32Independent Aegis BMD operations / Strike.32
USS Roosevelt (DDG-80)Arleigh Burke-class DDGEastern Mediterranean Sea 32Independent Aegis BMD operations / Strike.32
USS McFaul (DDG-74)Arleigh Burke-class DDGStrait of Hormuz / Persian Gulf 34Chokepoint defense / Coastal strike / Escort.32
USS Mitscher (DDG-57)Arleigh Burke-class DDGStrait of Hormuz / Persian Gulf 34Chokepoint defense / Coastal strike / Escort.32
USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119)Arleigh Burke-class DDGRed Sea / Bab el-Mandeb 34Chokepoint defense / Anti-Houthi overwatch / Strike.32

The positioning of the USS McFaul and USS Mitscher within the Persian Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz is particularly high-risk but necessary for securing the critical energy transit corridor.32 These vessels are uniquely positioned to defend US installations in Bahrain and the UAE, escort commercial shipping, and launch close-range cruise missile strikes into Iranian coastal defense networks, despite being well within the range of Iranian shore-based anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs) and fast attack craft swarms.34

Subsurface Assets (SSGNs and SSNs)

While the exact locations of nuclear-powered attack (SSN) and guided-missile (SSGN) submarines remain highly classified under strict OPSEC protocols, OSINT and historical deployment patterns indicate a heavy subsurface presence operating in the AOR.

Unit DesignationPlatform / ClassCurrent Location AssessedPrimary Operational Mandate
USS Florida (SSGN-728)Ohio-class SSGNLocation undisclosed but operating in the AOR (Recently observed NSA Souda Bay, Crete) 35Massive conventional strike (154x TLAM capacity) / Special Operations.36
USS Georgia (SSGN-729)Ohio-class SSGNLocation undisclosed but operating in the AOR 38Massive conventional strike (154x TLAM capacity) / Special Operations.38
Multiple UnitsVirginia / Los Angeles-class SSNsLocations undisclosed but operating in the AOR 39Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) / ASW / Strike.40

The Ohio-class submarines, notably the USS Florida and USS Georgia, possess unprecedented conventional strike capabilities. Each SSGN was converted from a strategic nuclear deterrent platform to a conventional cruise missile carrier capable of launching up to 154 BGM-109 Tomahawks from 22 vertical launch tubes.36 Open-source tracking indicates USS Florida has recently utilized the Marathi NATO Pier Facility at NSA Souda Bay, Crete, for logistical support.35 The presence of these vessels in the Mediterranean, Red, or Arabian Seas provides combatant commanders with a massive, stealthy first-strike capability designed to overwhelm Iranian air defenses without exposing surface ships to counter-battery fire.41 Fast attack submarines (SSNs) are concurrently tasked with sanitizing the operational zones of Iranian Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines and providing persistent, undetected ISR along the Iranian littoral.40

Amphibious Ready Groups (Information Gaps & Strategic Indicators)

Notably, the massive US military buildup lacks a dedicated Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) or Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) deployed within the immediate CENTCOM AOR.

Unit DesignationPlatform / ClassCurrent Location AssessedStrategic Indicator
USS Iwo Jima ARG / 24th MEUWasp-class LHD / USMC MEUCaribbean Sea 10Continuing operations in SOUTHCOM.10
USS Boxer ARGWasp-class LHDPacific Ocean 10Operating in INDOPACOM.10

The USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) ARG, carrying the 24th MEU, remains deployed in the Caribbean Sea supporting SOUTHCOM tasking, while the USS Boxer (LHD-4) ARG is currently underway in the Pacific Ocean.10 This specific force structure confirms assessments that the current military objective is purely focused on kinetic, long-range power projection (air and cruise missile strikes) and regime infrastructure degradation, rather than any form of amphibious assault, coastal seizure, or large-scale ground force insertion.39

Land-Based Air Power & Enablers

The United States Air Force (USAF), augmented by naval aviation detachments and allied assets, has executed a staggering logistical and combat surge to deploy more than 330 military aircraft to the Middle East.14 Data indicates that combat aircraft constitute approximately 65% of this total deployed force, supported by a dense network of electronic warfare, command and control, and aerial refueling platforms.14 Specifically, the combat breakdown includes roughly 84 F-18E/F Super Hornets, 54 F-16C/CJ/CM Fighting Falcons, 42 F-35A/C Lightning IIs, 36 F-15E Strike Eagles, and 12 A-10C Thunderbolts.14 The specialist and support tier comprises 18 EA-18G Growlers, 6 E-3 AWACS, and 5 E-11A BACN aircraft, underpinned by a massive fleet of 86 KC-46 and KC-135 refueling tankers either currently in CENTCOM or en route.14 This airpower is deliberately dispersed across multiple allied bases and European staging grounds to complicate Iranian ballistic missile targeting and ensure continuous operational sortie generation.

Combat Aircraft Dispositions

The tactical fighter deployment reveals a clear emphasis on stealth penetration, electronic attack, and heavy ordnance delivery.

Host InstallationWing / Squadron DesignationAircraft TypeAssessed Operational Role
Muwaffaq Salti Air Base (Jordan)Undisclosed Fighter SquadronsF-15E Strike Eagle (36x) 14Deep interdiction / Heavy payload delivery.44
Muwaffaq Salti Air Base (Jordan)Undisclosed Fighter SquadronsF-35A Lightning II (30x) 44Stealth penetration / DEAD operations.45
Muwaffaq Salti Air Base (Jordan)Undisclosed VAQ SquadronEA-18G Growler (6x) 46Electronic Attack / SEAD.46
Prince Sultan Air Base (Saudi Arabia)378th AEW / 555th EFS (“Triple Nickel”)F-16C/CJ Fighting Falcon 47Multi-role / Wild Weasel SEAD.47
Prince Sultan Air Base (Saudi Arabia)378th AEW / 494th EFS (“Mighty Black Panthers”)F-15E Strike Eagle 48Deep interdiction / Heavy payload delivery.48
Al Dhafra Air Base (UAE)380th AEW / 34th EFSF-35A Lightning II 48Stealth penetration / DEAD operations.48
Al Dhafra Air Base (UAE)380th AEW / 79th EFSF-16 Fighting Falcon 48Multi-role strike and defense.48
Ovda Air Base (Israel)Undisclosed Fighter SquadronF-22 Raptor (11x) 44Air dominance / Escort / Stealth penetration.49

Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan serves as a primary hub for kinetic operations due to its proximity to Syrian and Iraqi airspace, which act as flight corridors into Iran.46 The concentration of 36 F-15E Strike Eagles and 30 F-35A Lightning IIs at this location provides a highly lethal combination of survivable penetrating capability and heavy ordnance delivery.44 Furthermore, six Navy EA-18G Growlers have been land-based here to support complex SEAD packages.46

Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, a heavily defended installation deep within the peninsula, hosts the F-16CJs of the 555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and the F-15Es of the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron.47 The F-16CJs are specifically optimized for “Wild Weasel” operations, armed with AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM) designed to autonomously home in on and destroy active Iranian radar emissions.46

In an unprecedented display of joint US-Israeli operational integration, the US Air Force has forward-deployed at least 11 F-22 Raptor air dominance fighters to Ovda Air Base in the Negev desert.44 These specialized platforms are tasked with sanitizing the airspace of Iranian interceptors, providing top-cover for slower bomber assets, and protecting allied strike packages as they transition from the Mediterranean into hostile airspace.44

Conversely, Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, historically the central nervous system for CENTCOM air operations, has seen a strategic dispersal of its highly valuable, non-stealthy assets due to its acute vulnerability to Iranian missile barrages across the Persian Gulf.50 While it retains a presence of heavy airlift and tiltrotor aircraft, many high-end combat and refueling assets have been relocated to operational depths further west.50

Strategic Bombers and Long-Range Strike

The integration of the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) is a critical requirement for delivering the massive ordnance payloads necessary to destroy deeply buried Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities, such as the subterranean complexes at Fordow and Natanz.51

Unit DesignationPlatform / ClassCurrent Location AssessedPrimary Operational Mandate
Bomber Task Force (BTF) 25-2B-52H StratofortressRAF Fairford, United Kingdom 53Standoff cruise missile delivery / Force projection.53
Undisclosed Bomb WingsB-2 SpiritAlert status CONUS / Potential staging Diego Garcia 14Penetrating strike / MOP delivery against hardened targets.51

B-52H Stratofortress bombers attached to BTF 25-2 have recently conducted extensive force projection missions across the Middle East, originating from their European staging ground at RAF Fairford.53 Operating from these European sanctuaries, the B-52Hs utilize the extensive tanker bridge to reach launch points where they can deliver standoff munitions (such as the AGM-158 JASSM-ER) without ever crossing into the lethal threat rings of Iranian surface-to-air missiles.

While no B-2 Spirit stealth bombers have been publicly observed forward-deploying to Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia, OSINT monitors have recorded a sharp increase in strategic airlift activity (C-17s, C-5Ms) to the remote Indian Ocean atoll, strongly indicating logistical preparation for bomber staging.14 B-2s remain on high alert in the continental United States (CONUS) and hold a proven operational history of striking Iranian targets, having delivered 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOP) during Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2025.51

Electronic Warfare, ISR, and Command and Control (C2)

Modern air campaigns are heavily reliant on dominance of the invisible electromagnetic spectrum. CENTCOM has amassed a formidable array of Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) and Command and Control (C2) platforms to manage the complex battlespace and find targets for the kinetic shooters.

Unit DesignationPlatform / ClassCurrent Location AssessedPrimary Operational Mandate
380th AEW DetachmentsU-2S Dragon Lady / RQ-4 Global HawkAl Dhafra Air Base (UAE) 58High-altitude, long-endurance optical and radar ISR.58
US Navy Patrol SquadronsMQ-4C Triton / P-8A PoseidonAl Dhafra (UAE) / Isa Air Base (Bahrain) 15Maritime surveillance / ASW / Persian Gulf monitoring.60
Undisclosed Recon SquadronsRC-135V/W Rivet JointAl-Udeid (Qatar) / Various AOR 15Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) / Electronic order of battle mapping.61
55th Electronic Combat GroupEA-37B Compass CallRamstein Air Base (Germany) 62Stand-off electronic attack / Communications jamming.63
Undisclosed C2 SquadronsE-3 Sentry (AWACS) / E-11A BACNVarious AOR 14Airborne battle management / Datalink translation and relay.14

High-altitude ISR is managed heavily out of the 380th AEW at Al Dhafra, which operates the U-2S Dragon Lady, RQ-4 Global Hawk, and at least two newly arrived US Navy MQ-4C Triton maritime surveillance drones.15 These platforms provide persistent, high-altitude synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mapping of Iranian military movements and naval deployments in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz.60

Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) is gathered by multiple RC-135V/W Rivet Joint aircraft operating throughout the theater, actively vacuuming the electromagnetic spectrum to map the emissions of Iranian IADS and military communications networks.15 To manage the crowded airspace and deconflict the massive strike packages, six E-3 Sentry AWACS and five E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) aircraft serve as airborne command posts.14 The E-11A BACN is particularly crucial for translating distinct tactical datalinks, acting as a Wi-Fi node in the sky that bridges legacy Link-16 networks with the proprietary Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) utilized by the F-35 fleet, ensuring seamless situational awareness across fourth and fifth-generation platforms.14

In the realm of Electronic Attack (EA), the USAF has recently deployed the brand-new EA-37B Compass Call to the European theater at Ramstein Air Base.62 This highly classified platform is designed to integrate directly with the RC-135s to execute devastating stand-off electronic attacks against adversary command and control networks, effectively paralyzing the enemy’s ability to coordinate a defense before strike aircraft even cross the border.16

The Strategic “Tanker Bridge”

A regional war campaign of this magnitude, particularly one utilizing aircraft carriers stationed as far away as the Mediterranean and bombers flying from the United Kingdom, requires an unparalleled aerial refueling infrastructure. Open-source flight tracking indicates that the US military has mobilized approximately 127 KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-46A Pegasus aircraft globally for this operation.14 Approximately 86 of these tankers are deployed directly within CENTCOM bases or are actively en route.14 For instance, the 77th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron (EARS), operating the modern KC-46A Pegasus, recently established operations at Prince Sultan Air Base under the 378th AEW.67

The strategic tanker bridge spans from Sofia, Bulgaria, and Souda Bay, Greece, across the Mediterranean to staging areas at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, bypassing the political constraints and acute vulnerabilities associated with basing entirely within the Persian Gulf.69 By staging KC-135 and KC-46 tankers at these European and Israeli nodes, the US Air Force has established an unbroken aerial refueling corridor. This logistical bridge enables carrier-based fighters from the USS Gerald R. Ford in the Mediterranean, as well as land-based fighters in Jordan and bombers from the UK, to execute deep-penetration strikes into Iranian territory and return to safe havens without exhausting their fuel reserves.5

Air and Missile Defense (AMD) Architecture

Because US and allied host-nation bases are well within the range of Iran’s vast arsenal of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, the Pentagon has established a deeply layered, integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) shield across the theater.72 Iran is widely assessed to possess the largest and most diverse ballistic missile force in the Middle East, heavily stockpiling solid-fueled, precision-guided variants.73

Defensive SystemDomain / PlatformAssessed LocationsPrimary Interception Role
THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense)Land-based Mobile BatteryUAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan 14Exo-atmospheric ballistic missile intercept (Hit-to-Kill).17
Patriot PAC-3Land-based Mobile BatteryVarious CENTCOM Airbases 14Point defense against short-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs.72
Aegis BMD (SM-3 / SM-6)Arleigh Burke-class DDGEast Med, Red Sea, Persian Gulf 32Midcourse and terminal ballistic missile defense over maritime and allied airspace.32

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries have been rapidly deployed across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.14 These systems are capable of intercepting incoming ballistic missiles in their terminal phase utilizing kinetic “hit-to-kill” technology—destroying the target through sheer impact velocity rather than an explosive fragmentation warhead.72 While highly effective, these systems rely on a finite inventory of interceptors that cost upwards of $12 million each and take years to procure, creating a critical logistical constraint if Iran employs mass saturation tactics.72 Operating in conjunction with THAAD, Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) batteries provide the inner layer of point defense for critical infrastructure, airfields, and command nodes.14

The efficacy of this network has already been tested in live combat. On February 28, Iranian ballistic missiles targeted Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, a critical hub housing the 380th AEW. Preliminary reports indicate that a UAE-deployed THAAD system successfully engaged and intercepted two incoming ballistic missiles over Abu Dhabi, preventing catastrophic damage to the operational hub and safeguarding the highly concentrated reconnaissance and aerial refueling assets stationed on the flight line.17

Reinforcements & Transit Status

The Pentagon continues to surge reinforcements toward the CENTCOM AOR, preparing the logistics and force structure necessary for sustained, multi-day combat operations. The buildup relies heavily on a global pipeline of assets transiting from EUCOM, INDOPACOM, and CONUS.14

Since early January, an estimated 310 strategic airlift flights utilizing C-17 Globemaster III and C-5M Super Galaxy transports have established an air bridge into the Middle East, delivering vital personnel, heavy munitions, and the massive radar and launcher components required for the Patriot and THAAD missile defense systems.14

Simultaneously, a steady stream of tactical fighters continues to arrive via the European staging bridge. Recent flight tracking data confirmed the arrival of an additional 38 fighters—comprising 12 F-22 Raptors, 14 F-15E Strike Eagles, and 12 F-35A Lightning IIs—at RAF Lakenheath in the UK.44 These aircraft, having completed their initial transatlantic transit from bases in Utah, Idaho, and Virginia, are resting and refitting in Europe before making the final flight into the Middle East to replenish and reinforce the strike packages currently engaged in combat operations.44

In the maritime domain, the US Navy is actively preparing to deploy a third aircraft carrier to the theater. The USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) Carrier Strike Group, which had been conducting expedited training exercises off the coast of Virginia, is being readied for an emergency deployment within a two-week operational window.5 This aggressive scheduling suggests military planners are anticipating a prolonged, grinding campaign that will require rotational carrier availability to maintain the relentless pace of strike sorties without collapsing the endurance of the Ford or Lincoln crews.

Operational Capabilities & Integration: “The Kill Chain”

The execution of “Operation Epic Fury” relies entirely on the seamless, multi-domain integration of the disparate assets detailed in this ORBAT. The US military does not fight with individual platforms; it employs a sophisticated, interconnected “kill chain” designed to systematically blind, dismantle, and finally destroy Iranian military infrastructure. This methodology is executed in distinct, overlapping phases.

Phase 0: Cyber Infiltration and Spectrum Dominance

Before the first physical munitions are released, the battlespace is prepared through offensive cyber operations and electromagnetic warfare. According to verified intelligence sources, US Cyber Command successfully executed digital strikes against Iranian air defense networks, specifically targeting digital “aim-points”—vulnerable nodes such as routers, servers, and peripheral devices—connected to the command infrastructure of radar systems protecting the heavily fortified nuclear enrichment sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.18 By degrading these Russian-equivalent S-300 and S-400 systems digitally from the inside out, cyber operators effectively blinded the Iranian Integrated Air Defense System (IADS) at critical junctures, preventing the launch of surface-to-air missiles against the initial waves of incoming American warplanes.18 This invisible preparation of the battlefield is a prerequisite for survivability in heavily contested airspace.

Phase 1: SEAD and DEAD Operations (Suppression/Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses)

As cyber strikes create localized blind spots and confusion within the Iranian command structure, dedicated electronic and kinetic warfare aircraft exploit these gaps to permanently dismantle the defensive network.

  1. The Sensors (Detection & Geolocation): High-altitude RC-135V/W Rivet Joint aircraft loiter at safe standoff distances over international waters or allied airspace. Utilizing highly sensitive, specialized receiver arrays, these aircraft detect, classify, and precisely geolocate the emissions of active Iranian early-warning and targeting radars.16
  2. The Jammers (Electronic Attack): The targeting data collected by the Rivet Joints is instantly transmitted via secure, low-latency datalinks to EA-37B Compass Call aircraft and carrier-launched EA-18G Growlers operating closer to the threat edge.16 The EA-18Gs, specifically those of VAQ-133 equipped with the new ALQ-249 Next Generation Jammer (NGJ), project focused, high-power electromagnetic energy to overwhelm and scramble the remaining Iranian radar arrays, injecting false targets and noise into their receivers and rendering them incapable of achieving a weapons lock on allied aircraft.22 The recent, historic integration of the RC-135 and EA-37B has significantly refined this electromagnetic kill chain, allowing for rapid, coordinated jamming of pop-up threats in real-time.16
  3. The Hunters (Kinetic Destruction): Under the protective umbrella of this electronic shielding, F-35A and F-35C stealth fighters penetrate deep into Iranian airspace. Utilizing their advanced sensor fusion and the secure Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL), F-35s operate as forward quarterbacks. They identify hidden or mobile SAM sites and neutralize them using internal precision-guided munitions like the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) to maintain their stealth profile, or they pass the precise targeting coordinates back to heavier “bomb trucks” waiting outside the threat ring.80 Furthermore, specialized F-16CJs armed with AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM) actively hunt and destroy radar transmitters by riding the enemy’s radar beam directly back to its source.46

Phase 2: Kinetic Execution and Heavy Payload Delivery

Once the IADS is sufficiently degraded and safe air corridors are secured, the heavy kinetic phase initiates to destroy the regime’s strategic capabilities.

  • Standoff Strikes: The USS Florida and USS Georgia (SSGNs), alongside the Arleigh Burke destroyers stationed in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf, launch massive salvos of Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAM).31 These cruise missiles navigate at low altitudes to avoid radar detection, targeting fixed command and control bunkers, ballistic missile production facilities, and IRGC naval bases.31 Simultaneously, B-52H bombers stationed in Europe launch long-range cruise missiles from well outside Iranian airspace.53
  • Penetrating Strikes: Fourth-generation fighters bearing heavy ordnance payloads, primarily the F-15E Strike Eagles staging from Jordan and Saudi Arabia, ingress through the cleared air corridors.5 Sustained by the massive aerial refueling bridge of KC-135s and KC-46s, these aircraft deliver precision-guided bunker-busters to obliterate hardened Iranian ballistic missile silos and subterranean nuclear enrichment sites that cruise missiles cannot penetrate.5

Phase 3: Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) and Persistent ISR

Following the strike waves, High-Altitude ISR platforms—such as the MQ-4C Triton, U-2S, and RQ-4 Global Hawk—loiter high above the target areas.15 Utilizing synthetic aperture radar and high-resolution electro-optical sensors, these platforms conduct immediate Battle Damage Assessments (BDA), determining the precise level of destruction achieved and relaying this intelligence back to the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) to determine if follow-on restrikes are required to fully neutralize the target sets.15

Appendix: Glossary of Acronyms

  • AAG: Advanced Arresting Gear
  • AEW: Air Expeditionary Wing
  • AFGSC: Air Force Global Strike Command
  • AMD: Air and Missile Defense
  • AOR: Area of Responsibility
  • ARG: Amphibious Ready Group
  • ASBM: Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile
  • ASCM: Anti-Ship Cruise Missile
  • ASW: Anti-Submarine Warfare
  • AWACS: Airborne Warning and Control System
  • BACN: Battlefield Airborne Communications Node
  • BDA: Battle Damage Assessment
  • BMD: Ballistic Missile Defense
  • BTF: Bomber Task Force
  • C2: Command and Control
  • CAOC: Combined Air Operations Center
  • CENTCOM: Central Command (United States Central Command)
  • CONUS: Continental United States
  • CSG: Carrier Strike Group
  • CVN: Aircraft Carrier, Nuclear-powered
  • CVW: Carrier Air Wing
  • DDG: Guided-Missile Destroyer
  • DEAD: Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses
  • DESRON: Destroyer Squadron
  • DoD: Department of Defense
  • EA: Electronic Attack
  • EARS: Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron
  • EFS: Expeditionary Fighter Squadron
  • EMALS: Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System
  • EUCOM: European Command (United States European Command)
  • EW: Electronic Warfare
  • HARM: High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile
  • IADS: Integrated Air Defense System
  • IAMD: Integrated Air and Missile Defense
  • IDF: Israel Defense Forces
  • INDOPACOM: Indo-Pacific Command (United States Indo-Pacific Command)
  • IRGC: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
  • ISR: Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
  • LHD: Landing Helicopter Dock
  • MADL: Multifunction Advanced Data Link
  • MEU: Marine Expeditionary Unit
  • MOP: Massive Ordnance Penetrator
  • NGJ: Next Generation Jammer
  • NSA: Naval Support Activity
  • OPSEC: Operational Security
  • ORBAT: Order of Battle
  • OSINT: Open-Source Intelligence
  • PAC-3: Patriot Advanced Capability-3
  • RAF: Royal Air Force
  • SAM: Surface-to-Air Missile
  • SAR: Synthetic Aperture Radar
  • SDB: Small Diameter Bomb
  • SEAD: Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses
  • SIGINT: Signals Intelligence
  • SM: Standard Missile
  • SOUTHCOM: Southern Command (United States Southern Command)
  • SSGN: Guided-Missile Submarine, Nuclear-powered
  • SSN: Attack Submarine, Nuclear-powered
  • THAAD: Terminal High Altitude Area Defense
  • TLAM: Tomahawk Land Attack Missile
  • UAE: United Arab Emirates
  • UAV: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
  • USAF: United States Air Force
  • USMC: United States Marine Corps
  • VAQ: Electronic Attack Squadron
  • VAW: Airborne Command & Control Squadron
  • VFA: Strike Fighter Squadron
  • VMFA: Marine Fighter Attack Squadron

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Sources Used

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