Arabian Sea – The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) fired a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile on March 2, 2026, as part of Operation Epic Fury, the major U.S. military campaign against Iran ordered by President Donald Trump. Pinckney is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area to maintain maritime security and stability in the Middle East.

Operation Epic Fury, coordinated with Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion, is one of the largest joint U.S.-Israeli military actions in history. The campaign 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 such as USS Spruance.

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

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

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