Arabian Sea – The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducted night flight operations on March 1, 2026, as part of Operation Epic Fury, the major U.S. military campaign against Iran directed by President Donald Trump. Coordinated with Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion, it is one of the largest joint U.S.-Israeli military actions in history.

The operation targeted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, missile production facilities, IRGC command centers, air defense systems, drone launch sites, military airfields, and senior regime leadership. Over 100 aircraft—including F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18 Super Hornets from carriers like USS Abraham Lincoln, and B-2 Spirit stealth bombers—supported the strikes, alongside Tomahawk missiles from destroyers like USS Spruance and HIMARS systems.

The campaign confirmed the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of other senior officials. Iran responded with a massive retaliatory barrage of over 170 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones targeting U.S. bases and allies, though many were intercepted. Strikes continued into March 2, with B-2 bombers hitting ballistic missile sites with 2,000-pound guided bombs.

U.S. casualties included four service members killed, five seriously wounded, and others with minor injuries from Iran’s counterattacks. President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth described the operation as necessary to counter Iran’s “intolerable risk” from missiles and nuclear threats, emphasizing air and missile strikes without a ground invasion. Israel confirmed over 1,200 munitions were used in the first day, while U.S. lawmakers praised the operation as a decisive response to Iran’s longstanding threats.

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