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Epic Fury Enters Third Week as More B-52s, F-35s and Marines Deploy

Published on: March 16, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Stefano D'Urso Stefano D'Urso
Epic Fury Enters Third Week
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress prepares to land at an undisclosed location, March 3, 2026 in support of Operation Epic Fury. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Operation Epic Fury has now entered the third week, with additional bombers arriving at RAF Fairford and a Marine Expeditionary Unit headed to the Middle East.

After being initially expected to last just few days, Operation Epic Fury has now entered its third week. While it is unclear how long the U.S. plans to continue the combat operations, CNN reports that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are planning to continue their own Operation Rising Lion for three more weeks.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Air Force has deployed three more B-52 Stratofortress bombers to RAF Fairford, UK, and ten F-35A Lightning II fighters arrived at RAF Lakenheath. Additionally, components of an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), reportedly the USS Tripoli (LHA-7) and 31st MEU, respectively, are on their way to the Middle East.

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Bomber Activity

On Mar. 13, 2026, three more B-52 Stratofortress bombers arrived at RAF Fairford, UK, following a strike mission over Iran. Their arrival brought the total number of bombers at the British base to 18, including 12 B-1B Lancers and six B-52s.

Up to Mar. 15, five bomber missions have been observed departing the UK, each involving at least two B-1s. The first mission was recorded on Mar. 10.

The bombers have been using both the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Missile (JASSM) and the GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), and specifically the GBU-31(V)3 based on the BLU-109/B bunker buster. Both weapons were sighted during loading and unloading procedures at Fairford.

Meanwhile, bomber round-trip missions are still being launched from CONUS. At least two B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and three B-52s have been observed flying from the U.S. to Iran and back this week.

On Mar. 15, two B-52s loaded with 10 JASSMs each took off from Fairford on their way to Iran. Reportedly, the B-52s deployed to Fairford were not yet employed in missions over Iran since their arrival in the UK, possibly making this their first mission.

More F-35s

Additional F-35A Lightning II fighters are being deployed to the Middle East. Ten aircraft arrived at RAF Lakenheath from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, after a stop at Burlington Air National Guard Base, Vermont.

It is unclear if these fighters will relieve some of the F-35s deployed in the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility or if they will supplement them.

Zeus 95

As we reported on Mar. 12, 2026, a U.S. Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker was lost during a mission over Iraq, with all six crew members killed in the crash. The aircraft, callsign Zeus 95, was operated by a mixed crew of the 121st Air Refueling Wing from Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio, and the 6th Air Refueling Wing from MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

A second aircraft was also involved, but it was able to safely land at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. The KC-135 was missing a large part of its vertical stabilizer.

The causes of the mishap are still unknown, and an investigation has been launched by the Air Force. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stressed that the “loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” and that the mishap happened in “friendly airspace.”

Marines Deployed

U.S. media reported that officials confirmed that elements of an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) will be deployed to the CENTCOM’s AOR, after U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth approved a request from the command.

According to the reports, the USS Tripoli (LHA-7) and 31st MEU are the elements currently sailing from the Pacific Ocean to the Middle East, although it is unclear if other warships are also present. In fact, the Tripoli ARG also includes the USS San Diego (LPD-22) and USS New Orleans (LPD-18).

A MEU is the U.S. Marine Corps’ mobile, self-contained, rapid reaction force, with a complement of fully-integrated air and ground forces. The MEU consists of approximately 2,200 Marines and Sailors, divided in a Command Element, a Ground Combat Element, an Aviation Combat Element and a Logistics Combat Element.

Among the missions the MEU can undertake while deployed are Peacekeeping/Enforcement, Humanitarian/Disaster Relief, Security Operations, Noncombatant Evacuation Operations, Reinforcement Operations, Amphibious Raids/Assaults/Demonstrations, Tactical Deception Operations, Airfield/Port Seizures, Show-of-Force Operations, Reconnaissance and Surveillance, and Seizure/Recovery of Offshore Energy Facilities.

A-10s Still on the Frontlines

While the U.S. Air Force continues with its efforts to retire the A-10C Thunderbolt II, the platform has still something to say, as it continues to be used even as part of Operation Epic Fury. It has been often argued that the A-10 is not designed for combat operations in heavily contested environments, but here CENTCOM mentioned the aircraft’s involvement in combat missions since the beginning.

Notably, the A-10 has been shown equipped with AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles and AGR-20 laser-guided rockets. Its ability to loiter for hours and effortlessly fly at low speeds makes it an ideal platform to counter OWA drones, in addition to striking targets of opportunity.

U.S.-Israeli Strikes

U.S. and Israeli strikes are continuing relentlessly, with the U.S. Central Command said it has struck about 6,000 targets in Iran and the IDF saying it has carried out roughly 400 waves of strikes.

Among the recent U.S. targets is Kharg Island, which serves as Iran’s oil export hub and is located around 15 nautical miles (24km) off the coast. CENTCOM says it has struck “more than 90 Iranian military targets on Kharg Island, while preserving the oil infrastructure.”

The strikes are continuing to target every Iranian military capability. A particular focus has been put on the aircraft and ships employed by Iran’s military. Among the targets are also the P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft.

New satellite photos also confirm the destruction of the Iranian F-14 Tomcat fighters, previously show in videos by CENTCOM.

U.S. Navy aircraft are still among the main assets being used in the strikes, with multiple videos and photos from CENTCOM highlighting their role.

While some may argue that Super Hornets are mainly being employed to lob stand-off weapons at targets in Iran, it appears that the area has become permissive enough to conduct operations at low altitude. Videos emerged online show F/A-18s operating freely at low altitude over the Iranian port city of Chabahar, and also strafing targets with their M61 20 mm cannon.

Israeli F-35I Adir fighters have also been conducting at least some missions with external loads and radar reflectors on, as shown by images emerged throughout the week.

Iranian Retaliation

Although it has suffered heavy losses, Iran still continues to retaliate against any Israel- and U.S.-linked target in the region. The attacks are being conducted mainly with ballistic missiles and one-way attack drones.

An attack that is being noted is the one conducted with First Person View (FPV) drones against the former Camp Victory outside Baghdad, which U.S. forces left months ago.

Ali Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait has been repeatedly attacked by Iranian drones. In the most recent attack, an Italian MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), deployed there as part of the Counter-ISIS coalition, was destroyed when a drone struck the shelter where it was parked.

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By Stefano D'Urso
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Stefano D'Urso is the Deputy Editor at The Aviationist, based in Lecce, Italy. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering. His areas of expertise include emerging aerospace and defense technologies, electronic warfare, unmanned and autonomous systems, loitering munitions, and the application of OSINT techniques to the analysis of military operations and contemporary conflicts.
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