‘They were already heroes’: 3 U.S. service members killed, 5 seriously wounded in Operation Epic Fury
TAMPA, Florida – At least three members of the U.S. Armed Forces have been killed in connection with Operation Epic Fury against Iran, with five others seriously wounded.
U.S Central Command announced Sunday: “As of 9:30 am ET, March 1, three U.S. service members have been killed in action and five are seriously wounded as part of Operation Epic Fury.
“Several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions – and are in the process of being returned to duty. Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing.
“The situation is fluid, so out of respect for the families, we will withhold additional information, including the identities of our fallen warriors, until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.”
First 24 hours of Operation Epic Fury:
“The President ordered bold action, and our brave Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen are answering the call,” – Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM Commander pic.twitter.com/McrC7xeM0A
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 1, 2026
Appearing on “Sunday Morning Futures” with Maria Bartiromo on the Fox News Channel. former CIA Director Gen. David Petraeus, said: “The president warned of this, Maria, rightly so, that in this kind of operation, that possibility always exists, and tragically it has manifested itself.”
“This is both an extraordinary military achievement by the Israelis and the Americans,” Petraeus continued. “Of course hundreds of planes on each side and then also hundreds of cruise missiles coming out of various ships. So really a massive effort.”
The Iranian regime was warned. CENTCOM is now delivering swift and decisive action as directed. pic.twitter.com/nNDoDexH6g
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 1, 2026
“Clearly a lot of this was led by intelligence, precise intelligence, and a degree of stunning arrogance on the part of the Iranians who I assume said well, Gee, they didn’t attack when they normally do in the early hours of the morning so we have today, we can get together and meet.”
Iran’s IRGC claims to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles. LIE.
The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by… pic.twitter.com/AjaeHMemtA— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 1, 2026
Also appearing with Bartiromo was U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who wits own the Homeland Security Committee, who commented on the loss of American lives.
“I want to extend my absolute condolences for the American service members that lost their lives their lives. They were already heroes, but now they’ve been lost,” Fetterman said.
“[I] absolutely grieve with their families. I’m so sorry for their loss. But it’s absolutely a noble, noble initiative there. Absolutely, Epic Fury was a noble, noble pursuit.”
.@SenFettermanPA: I’m tired of seeing people on social media saying, “we can never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear bomb” … Well, if you’re not willing to do anything about it, then it must just be empty words… @POTUS did try to negotiate with them… That never worked. pic.twitter.com/PpuKSKJSH1
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 1, 2026
Fetterman added: “I’m tired of seeing people go on social media and saying, ‘We can never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear bomb, and Israel always deserves security and they deceiver to exist.’ Well, if you’re not willing to do [anything] about it, then it must just be empty words. Does it matter? President Trump was willing to do the kinds of things that are necessary to provide those things.”
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