Washington, D.C., March 2 (ANI): General Dan Raizin Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Monday that the loss of three US Air Force F-15E aircraft overnight in the region is under investigation, while emphasizing that US forces remain fully operational and prepared to respond as needed.
Addressing a press conference on the ongoing conflict with Iran, Caine said he was grateful that the crews were safe and noted that the incident was not caused by hostile enemy fire.
“I am aware of the loss of three US Air Force F-15Es overnight in the region. I am grateful for the safety of the crews, and we know that this was not from hostile enemy fire. As this matter is under investigation, I will not comment further,” he said.
Caine stressed that operations would continue across the theater and globally, underscoring confidence in the US military’s ability to project power worldwide.
“Operations will remain active across the theater and across the globe. US forces are postured not only to maintain pressure, but to respond and adapt as required. Operation Epic Fury stands as a reminder of what the United States military uniquely delivers—the ability to project power on a global scale with speed, surprise, precision, and overwhelming force when and where our nation requires it,” he said.
Providing additional details about the joint operation with Israeli forces, Caine said the objective is to prevent Iran from projecting power beyond its borders. He also expressed condolences for US personnel killed and wounded in the conflict.
“On Saturday, February 28, at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, 9:45 a.m. local Tehran time, on the orders of the president of the United States, US Central Command, under the command of US Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, commenced Operation Epic Fury. First, I want to express my deep condolences and the condolences of the Joint Force to Department of War personnel killed and wounded in actions thus far,” he said.
Caine said that on February 28, all branches of the US armed forces began coordinated operations with the Israeli Armed Forces.
“The full strength of America’s armed forces came together in a unified purpose against a capable and determined adversary. The United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and our reserve components began coordinated operations with the Israeli Armed Forces on an unprecedented scale,” he said.
“Our military objectives are clear. Our mission is to protect and defend ourselves and, together with our regional partners, prevent Iran from the ability to project power outside of its borders and be ready for follow-on actions as appropriate,” he added.
Earlier, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth strongly criticized Iran’s Islamist regime, accusing it of waging a “savage, one-sided war against America,” and said the Trump administration intends to bring the conflict to a close.
At a White House press conference, Hegseth echoed President Donald Trump’s statement that “now is wartime” and described Operation Epic Fury as focused on destroying Iranian offensive missiles, missile production, naval assets, and security infrastructure to ensure the country “will never have nuclear weapons.”
“The mission of Operation Epic Fury is laser-focused. Destroy Iranian offensive missiles, destroy Iranian missile production, destroy their navy and other security infrastructure, and they will never have nuclear weapons. We’re hitting them surgically, overwhelmingly, and unapologetically. With every passing day, our capabilities get stronger and Iran’s get weaker. We set the terms of this war from start to finish. Our ambitions are not utopian. They are realistic,” Hegseth said. (ANI)
About The Author
