WASHINGTON — The joint U.S.-Israeli army marketing campaign in opposition to Iran, dubbed Operation Epic Fury by the USA and Operation Roaring Lion by Israel, has featured an intensive array of fighter jets since strikes started Feb. 28, 2026. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Israel Protection Forces (IDF) have employed fifth-generation stealth fighters, fourth-generation multirole plane and digital warfare platforms to attain air superiority, suppress defenses and conduct precision strikes on Iranian ballistic missile websites, command facilities, air defenses and naval belongings.
As of March 4, 2026, greater than 1,250 targets have been hit in Iran throughout the operation’s first week, with fighter jets taking part in a central position alongside long-range bombers just like the B-2 Spirit and B-1B Lancer. The marketing campaign has concerned coordinated waves of plane from U.S. carriers in the Arabian Sea and Mediterranean, forward-deployed bases in the Center East, and direct missions from the USA.
Listed here are the first fighter jets confirmed in use throughout the strikes, primarily based on CENTCOM releases, IDF statements and open-source reporting:
1. **F-35 Lightning II (U.S. and Israel)** — The fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter has been a cornerstone of operations. U.S. Air Power F-35As from the forty eighth Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath and Vermont Air Nationwide Guard, plus Marine Corps F-35Cs from the service USS Abraham Lincoln, carried out strikes and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD). Israel deployed its F-35I Adir variant — generally known as “Mighty One” — in massive numbers, with studies of as much as 670 sorties focusing on missile techniques and management. The F-35’s low observability enabled preliminary penetrations in opposition to Iranian radars.
2. **F-22 Raptor (U.S.)** — A few dozen F-22s from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., deployed to Israel forward of the operation, marking the primary fight deployment there. Extra Raptors went to RAF Lakenheath. As air superiority fighters, they escorted strike packages, engaged potential air threats and maintained dominance over Iranian airspace. CENTCOM photographs confirmed F-22s in theater by late February.
3. **F-15 Variants (U.S. and Israel)** — U.S. Air Power F-15E Strike Eagles supplied multirole strike functionality, although three had been misplaced to pleasant fireplace over Kuwait on March 2. Israel used F-15s to launch standoff missiles, together with Black Sparrow air-launched ballistic missiles, in opposition to deep targets. The F-15’s vary and payload supported prolonged missions.
4. **F-16 Combating Falcon (U.S. and Israel)** — Dozens of U.S. F-16s, together with Wild Weasel variants for SEAD, operated from regional bases. Israel’s F-16s contributed to the preliminary wave destroying air defenses in western Iran. The multirole fighter’s versatility aided in precision strikes and drone intercepts.
5. **F/A-18 Tremendous Hornet (U.S. Navy/Marines)** — Provider-based F/A-18E/Fs from the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford launched with heavy hundreds, together with AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapons. Video from CENTCOM confirmed Tremendous Hornets taking off for strikes. The platform’s flexibility supported naval integration in the Gulf.
6. **EA-18G Growler (U.S. Navy)** — Digital assault variants jammed Iranian radars and communications, suppressing defenses throughout strike waves. Growlers, primarily based on the F/A-18, operated from carriers and supplied important digital warfare assist.
Israeli Air Power operations concerned 200-300 fighter jets in the opening hours, establishing air supremacy over Tehran and western Iran. The IDF claimed strikes on tons of of targets, together with missile launchers and command websites, with fighter jets working with impunity after neutralizing defenses.
U.S. forces amassed about 30 F-35s in the area pre-operation, alongside F-22s, F-15Es and F-16s. Provider strike teams supplied extra F/A-18s and Growlers. Assist plane like E-3 Sentry AWACS, P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol and KC-135 tankers enabled long-range missions, whereas MQ-9 Reapers and new LUCAS one-way assault drones supplemented strikes.
The marketing campaign’s air element has drawn from classes of prior operations, emphasizing stealth, standoff weapons and digital warfare to reduce threat. Iranian retaliation — together with ballistic missiles and drones — has been intercepted by Patriot, THAAD and fighter patrols, although incidents just like the F-15 losses spotlight operational hazards.
As strikes proceed into the second week, fighter jets stay pivotal in sustaining strain on Iranian capabilities whereas U.S. officers sign operations may prolong weeks. The combination of platforms underscores the built-in, multi-domain strategy defining fashionable air campaigns.
Initially printed on ibtimes.com.au
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