As of 5 March 2026, 8:59 PM

The CVB community stands in solemn gratitude and unwavering support of every member of the United States Armed Forces as Operation Epic Fury continues within the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility. Above all, we honor the six American service members who have paid the ultimate price and pray for the eighteen who have been wounded in defense of our Nation. We stand with every Gold Star Family enduring unimaginable loss and every Blue Star Family supporting a wounded Warrior on the road to recovery.

The Department of Defense later confirmed the names of the six American service members who made the ultimate sacrifice during the opening phase of operations. They were Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54; Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, 45; Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35; Sgt. Noah L. Tietjens, 42; Sgt. Nicole M. Amor, 39; and Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, who was posthumously promoted from Specialist in recognition of his service. These brave Americans stood in defense of the United States and the Constitution they swore to protect. Our hearts and prayers remain with their loved ones, the fellow service members who served beside them, and the families who now carry their legacy forward. To the Gold Star families, whose loss can never be measured, the nation stands with you in gratitude and remembrance. To the Blue Star families, including those whose warriors were wounded in the line of duty during these operations, we recognize the long road ahead and keep them in our prayers as well. Their courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty embody the very spirit of the men and women who answer the call to defend our freedom.

Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest easy, Heroes. To the new Gold Star Families — we are here for you.

Operation Epic Fury

Operation Epic Fury began at 1:15 a.m. on Friday, 28 February 2026, under the direction of President. According to U.S. Central Command, sustained operations are targeting and dismantling components of the Iranian regime’s military infrastructure posing imminent threats to U.S. forces and regional allies.

U.S. forces have destroyed:

• Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps joint command and control facilities
• Key IRGC Aerospace Force headquarters elements
• Integrated Iranian air defense systems
• Ballistic missile launch and production sites
• Drone launch infrastructure
• Anti-ship missile batteries
• Military airfields used for offensive operations
• Critical military communications networks

These strikes are deliberate, intelligence-driven, and focused on degrading offensive capabilities — not civilian infrastructure.

Naval Operations – Gulf of Oman

On Monday, 2 March 2026, CENTCOM confirmed the complete neutralization of Iranian naval forces operating in the Gulf of Oman. Prior to 28 February 2026, Iran maintained 11 active vessels in the region. By Monday, 2 March 2026, that number had been reduced to zero through coordinated precision strikes.

Satellite imagery released Monday showed fires and heavy black smoke rising from Bandar Abbas, headquarters of the , with at least one vessel visibly ablaze following coalition strikes.

According to U.S. Central Command, U.S. forces have destroyed more than 20 Iranian naval vessels, including a key submarine, during sustained operations across the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman. Officials stated the strikes were designed to comprehensively neutralize Iran’s naval combat capabilities. Among the vessels reported destroyed or rendered inoperable were the frigates IRIS Bayandor, IRIS Naghdi, and IRIS Jamaran, as well as the drone carrier IRIS Shahid Bagheri. Military leadership confirmed that, following the coordinated strikes, there were no active Iranian naval combat vessels operating in these strategic waterways — a development described as effectively dismantling Iran’s surface fleet presence in the region.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard leadership publicly claimed closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, 2 March 2026. CENTCOM confirmed the Strait remains open, though tanker traffic slowed amid heightened tensions. Allied regional partners intercepted retaliatory drone swarms targeting coalition positions.

On Wednesday, 4 March 2026, at 8:45 AM, Secretary of Defense announced, “Last night we sunk their prize ship, the Soleimani. Looks like POTUS got him twice.” Iranian Moudge-class frigate IRIS Dena (sometimes referred to as the Shahid Soleimani or Shahid Sayyad Shirazi in reports) using a torpedo in the Indian Ocean, Named after the former Quds Force commander killed in 2020, the catamaran-hulled corvette measured approximately 65 meters in length and was designed for enhanced speed, range, and reduced radar signature. Equipped with anti-ship cruise missiles, surface-to-air missile systems, vertical launch capabilities, and rapid-fire naval guns, the class was intended to project power from strategic ports such as Bandar Abbas near the Strait of Hormuz. Its reported sinking during Operation Epic Fury marks a significant setback for Iran’s naval modernization program and underscores the coalition’s focus on eliminating high-value maritime threats.

Strategic Air Campaign

Long-range U.S. B-2 Spirit stealth bombers departed Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and executed round-trip strike missions exceeding 30 hours. These aircraft delivered dozens of 2,000-pound precision-guided munitions against hardened, mountain-embedded ballistic missile infrastructure, significantly degrading Iran’s offensive missile capabilities.

Additional assets deployed in Operation Epic Fury include:

• B-1 and B-2 strategic bombers
• F-15, F-16, F-18, F-22, and F-35 fighter aircraft
• A-10 attack aircraft
• EA-18G electronic warfare platforms
• MQ-9 Reaper drones
• P-8 maritime patrol aircraft
• RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft
• Patriot and THAAD missile defense systems
• M-142 rocket artillery systems
• Nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and guided missile destroyers
• Counter-drone systems
• Strategic refueling and airlift aircraft

CENTCOM stated operations will continue to take decisive action against imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime.

Our Commitment

We do not glorify war. War brings heartbreak and permanent loss. What we honor are the brave men and women who stand ready — at sea, in the air, and on the ground — to defend the Constitution of the United States.

This RED Friday, we Remember Everyone Deployed.

We honor the six who have given their lives.
We pray for the eighteen wounded in recovery.
We stand beside every Gold Star and Blue Star Family.

May their courage never be forgotten.

God Bless Our Troops. God Bless the United States of America.

STATE OF CONNECTICUT MILITARY DEPARTMENT 360 BROAD STREET HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06105

March 2, 2026

We are aware of reports regarding increased military activity associated with Operation EPIC FURY. Connecticut National Guard Soldiers and Airmen remain deployed in the region as part of ongoing federal missions.

First and most importantly, I want to express my sincere appreciation for our deployed Soldiers and Airmen and for the Families who support them. Your professionalism, resilience, and commitment strengthen our entire force.

At this time, there have been no reported injuries or casualties involving Connecticut National Guard personnel.

The safety and well-being of our service members remain our top priority. We are in close coordination with appropriate military channels and continue to monitor the situation carefully.

For operational security, we cannot discuss specific locations, mission assignments, movements, or force protection measures. This discipline protects our service members and ensures mission success.

If there were any direct impact to one of our members, official notification would occur promptly and in person through established military procedures.

Family Program resources remain available. For assistance, please contact Ms.

Melody Baber, State Family Program Director, at 860-548-3276 or melodycheyenne.c.baber.civ@army.mil.

Thank you for your continued dedication and support.

Sincerely

Arthur L. Fredericks

Sergeant Major

State Command Sergeant Major

Francis J. Evon

Major General The Adjutant General

Stephanie A. Richard

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Command Chief Warrant Officer