by Artemy Sharapov
[REGNUM] On the night of February 27-28, the United States and Israel launched a joint military operation against Iran.
A series of missile strikes hit military and government targets across the country. American sources dubbed the operation "Epic Fury," while Israeli sources called it "Lion's Roar."
The Iranian government announced the launch of a retaliatory military operation, attacking Israeli territory as well as American military facilities in the Persian Gulf countries.
American officials say they have no intention of winding down the operation, which will continue for at least the next few days and possibly weeks.
Moreover, the Pentagon has concentrated an impressive force in the Middle East for a long-term campaign.
AVIATION
The buildup of forces in the US Central Command area of ​​responsibility began in January, after a wave of anti-government protests swept across Iran.
Observers estimate that US Air Force transport aircraft have made more than 300 flights to military bases across the Middle East since January 15. The deployment of additional air defense systems to cover American military installations was later recorded.
Moreover, users of aviation traffic tracking services have recorded in recent months a massive deployment of US Air Force strike aircraft across the Atlantic with refueling stops at air bases in Europe.
According to the most preliminary data, the total number of combat vehicles deployed to the region the day before or currently en route exceeds 140 units, excluding carrier-based aircraft and specialized aircraft.
Satellite images published online indicate that at least 30 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, 48 ​​F-16C Fighting Falcon fighter jets, 36 F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets and 12 A-10C Thunderbolt II attack aircraft were deployed in Jordan.
Approximately 20 F-22 Raptor fighters and six EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft on land, as well as additional aircraft of this type in carrier groups, are deployed to achieve air superiority and suppress air defenses.
Intelligence gathering is carried out by six E-3G Sentry airborne early warning aircraft and five E-11A BACN communications aircraft stationed at air bases in Saudi Arabia.
For a long time, RC-135V Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft, high-altitude U-2S Dragon Lady aircraft, P-8A Poseidon maritime reconnaissance aircraft, as well as MQ-4C Triton and RQ-4B Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles, have carried out flights to the borders of Iran.
A vast network of tanker aircraft provides support for the airlift and potential combat sorties. A total of 107 KC-135 Stratotanker, KC-46 Pegasus, and KC-10 Extender aircraft are deployed. Of these, over 30 are in the Middle East, and another 57 are deployed along the Atlantic and Mediterranean airlift routes.
The concentration of such a large number of tankers allows hundreds of aircraft to be kept in the air at all times. This allows the US to achieve a critical air presence for massive air strikes.
Moreover, footage published online shows US Air Force tankers refueling Israeli aircraft over Syria.
The air group at the airfields is joined by deck-based aircraft from two carrier strike groups, consisting of approximately 80–90 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-35C fighters.
These forces should also be supplemented by up to 300 Israeli Air Force strike aircraft. Therefore, the air force operating against Iran could number up to 500 aircraft.
This unprecedented concentration of military equipment will allow the US and Israel to carry out strikes in "shifting" fashion over an extended period.
The use of US Air Force strategic aircraft, including B-2 bombers stationed at Diego Garcia Air Base in the Indian Ocean, cannot be ruled out. These aircraft have previously been used to strike Iranian nuclear program targets.
FLEET
In addition to military aircraft, the US has concentrated two naval task forces in the Middle East in recent months.
One of the groups is led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), located in the Persian Gulf. It is accompanied by several dozen strike ships and support vessels.
American warships have also been spotted in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean waters.
A second aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), is operating in the eastern Mediterranean. It is believed this group participated in the first phase of the operation.
Footage has been shared on social media of dozens of BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles flying through Iraqi airspace toward Iran, heading from west to east. Several missiles of this type later struck military targets in Tehran.
The BGM-109 Tomahawk is a long-range subsonic cruise missile designed for precision strikes against ground targets. Depending on the version, its range reaches approximately 1,300–1,600 kilometers, allowing it to strike far beyond the zone of direct military contact.
The Tomahawk missile weighs approximately 1.5 tons at launch, carrying a 450-kilogram warhead—typically a penetrating or high-explosive type. It is launched from ships equipped with vertical launch systems, as well as from nuclear submarines.
According to the most general estimates, the ships that make up the two US Navy groups can simultaneously launch 200-300 cruise missiles.
RESULTS OF THE FIRST STRIKE
The operation began with missions to suppress and destroy air defense and radar systems—the so-called Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses and Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses, which can be considered the "calling card" of the US Air Force.
In other words, these were targeted strikes against radar stations, anti-aircraft missile systems, and command and control centers. It can be concluded that the strike involved combined Israeli forces, as well as the US Air Force and Navy.
The strikes covered several strategically important areas of the country. Targets along Iran's borders and coastline, as well as in the vicinity of major cities, were reportedly hit.
Yesterday, satellite images appeared online indicating the deployment of Bavar-373 and S-300 anti-aircraft missile launchers in Tehran. Iran also deployed older S-200 and Khordad-15 systems. According to preliminary data, they were the targets of the cruise missile strikes.
The targeting indicates an attempt to weaken Iran's airborne detection and tracking system by reducing its radar capabilities. Such actions typically precede a more extensive phase of an air campaign, when the focus shifts to infrastructure and military targets.
As the effectiveness of the radar field decreases, the possibilities for using guided air munitions expand.
It is expected that as Iran's air defenses are weakened, the US and Israel will begin a new phase of the operation, which will involve aircraft and drones operating directly in the country's airspace.