Tag Archives: military

Mar 11 2026

Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chair Dan Caine Hold a Press Conference – The First Ten Days


Posted originally on CTH on March 10, 2026 | Sundance

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Dan Caine hold a press briefing from the Pentagon with updates on Operation Epic Fury.  “The First Ten Days” recapped.

General Dan Caine noted CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper will continue delivering intermediate updates.  Caine also outlined how targeting of the Iranian missile systems continues as a priority along with the systematic destruction of the Iranian navy assets.  Both aspects of the operation continue having maximum success and impact.

General Caine also noted how the third objective of dismantling Iran’s infrastructure systems to mechanize war are intensifying.  “We are moving deeper into Iran’s industrial base,” General Caine noted.   Missile attack launches from inside Iran have dropped 90%, and one-way drone launches have dropped more than 80%.  50 Iranian vessels have been destroyed by U.S. targeting.

As Iran’s treat capacity to target vessels continues to be degraded, the Strait of Hormuz begins to open.

US West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil Futures with April 2026 Expiry, traded at $89.89 per barrel, down by 5.2%. This oil benchmark touched an intraday low of 84.45 and recorded an overall decline of 29.3% from $119.43 per barrel level that was touched on March 9th. Yesterday, US WTI plunged nearly 18%.

Brent Crude Oil Price: Brent crude has nosedived by nearly 26.2% and touched an intraday low of $88.10 per barrel. This is compared to $119.50 per barrel mark it hit on March 9. Yesterday, the price dropped nearly 9%. {SOURCE}

Mar 8 2026

President Trump Gives Update Presser Aboard Airforce One – Video


Posted originally on CTH on March 8, 2026 | Sundance | 

President Trump gives an impromptu press conference aboard Airforce One returning to Florida following the solemn ceremony at Dover Airforce Base. Emissary Steve Witkoff and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also delivered some comments on questions from the media.

President Trump answered questions about rising U.S. gas prices saying, this is a confrontation that should have taken place before. For 47 years various presidents have navigated the risk and threats presented by Iran, but President Trump is choosing to end the threat once and for all.

Keeping security issues close to the chest, President Trump refused to directly answer any questions about ongoing operations, targeting or matters of military strategy.  At 7:45 of the video Steve Witkoff and Pete Hegseth also answered questions.  WATCH:

At 10:35 President Trump was asked his opinion on what Russia would say if confronted about support for Iran, and President Trump showcased how well he knows the Russian approach by saying if we confronted them, Russia would just say the U.S. supports Ukraine against Russia, right?   President Trump is correct; Russian President Putin is the master at pointing out hypocrisy in foreign intervention.

At 13:15 President Trump is asked about Kurdish support, and Trump notes the U.S. appreciates the offer but does not want the Kurdish forces to get involved because it only complicates the issues.  The Kurds are our allies, and President Trump has had conversations with Kurdish leadership; however, within that friendship Trump notes it would be dangerous for the Kurds to get involved.

Mar 8 2026

President Trump, VP Vance and Dignitaries Participate in Dignified Transfer Ceremony


Posted originally on CTH on March 7, 2026 | Sundance 

President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President Vance and other dignitaries participate in a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover AFB for the arrival of six servicemembers killed in Operation Epic Fury.   The solemn and silent ceremony is presented below:

O Keeper of the dawn and dusk, hold them beneath Your steadfast wing.

Let the dust of distant roads not dim the light within their eyes.

When the night leans heavy on their shoulders, be the quiet fire in their hearts.

When the wind carries the scent of danger, be the shield they cannot see.

Guide their steps through shadowed valleys, let courage rise like rivers in their veins.

Bring them home to open arms and gentle laughter, and for those who cannot return, wrap them in the eternal peace that no battle can disturb.

~ Amen!

Mar 8 2026

President Trump Expands Iranian Target List


Posted originally on CTH on March 7, 2026 | Sundance 

Overnight last night, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a statement apologizing for attacks against neighboring countries and claiming that some attacks were carried out independently by regional commanders without directive due to loss of communication.

President Pezeshkian further stating the Temporary Leadership Council in Iran had ordered a halt to attacks on other countries unless their territory is used to attack Iran.

Within hours the remaining elements of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) rebuked the statement by President Pezeshkian saying the IRGC would continue attacking any/all gulf states as needed.  This was followed by the Iranian clergy saying their president was “weak, unprofessional and totally unacceptable.”

Obviously the political, military and religious elements within Iran are not on the same page.  However, at around 6:00am this morning, President Trump reacted to the original statement by Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian:

PRESIDENT TRUMP – “Iran, which is being beat to HELL, has apologized and surrendered to its Middle East neighbors, and promised that it will not shoot at them anymore. This promise was only made because of the relentless U.S. and Israeli attack. They were looking to take over and rule the Middle East. It is the first time that Iran has ever lost, in thousands of years, to surrounding Middle Eastern Countries. They have said, “Thank you President Trump.” I have said, “You’re welcome!”

Iran is no longer the “Bully of the Middle East,” they are, instead, “THE LOSER OF THE MIDDLE EAST,” and will be for many decades until they surrender or, more likely, completely collapse! Today Iran will be hit very hard!

Under serious consideration for complete destruction and certain death, because of Iran’s bad behavior, are areas and groups of people that were not considered for targeting up until this moment in time. Thank you for your attention to this matter! ” ~ President DONALD J. TRUMP

Two carrier strike groups are currently on station in the region as the ongoing conflict with Iran continues. The USS Ford (CVN-78) just passed through the Suez Canal and has assumed position in the Red Sea.  The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is operating in the Arabian Sea, according to the latest USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker.

The USS Ford departing their position in defense of Israel, would seem to indicate the threat analysis has been greatly diminished.  Moving the Ford group and the Abraham Lincoln group into proximity seems to indicate they are positioning to support the maritime transit and guardian program through the straits of Oman.

These maritime moves are taking place as the U.S. and Israel shift their attack profiles toward new Iranian targets.

Mar 4 2026

President Trump Rejects Premise: The U.S is Not Running Out of Strategic Munitions


Posted originally on CTH on March 3, 2026 | Sundance 

There has been an ongoing narrative from the insufferable leftists and professional pundits in opposition, that the United States military will soon run out of missiles, rockets, drones, bombs and lethal munitions.  Given the global stockpiles of these weapons, the underlying premise always seemed absurd.

President Trump responded to the false claims in both a direct Truth Social message and an interview with Politico.

[Truth Social] – “The United States Munitions Stockpiles have, at the medium and upper medium grade, never been higher or better – As was stated to me today, we have a virtually unlimited supply of these weapons. Wars can be fought “forever,” and very successfully, using just these supplies (which are better than other countries finest arms!). At the highest end, we have a good supply, but are not where we want to be. Much additional high-grade weaponry is stored for us in outlying countries. Sleepy Joe Biden spent all of his time, and our Country’s money, GIVING everything to P.T. Barnum (Zelenskyy!) of Ukraine – Hundreds of Billions of Dollars’ worth – And, while he gave so much of the super high end away (FREE!), he didn’t bother to replace it. Fortunately, I rebuilt the military in my first term and continue to do so. The United States is stocked, and ready to WIN, BIG!!! Thank you for your attention to this matter.” President DONALD J. TRUMP

(VIA POLITICO) – […] In a roughly 4-minute phone call with POLITICO, Trump argued that Tehran’s military capacity is being steadily degraded, even as Iranian forces are expected to “keep lobbing missiles for a while.”

“They’re running out and they’re running out of areas to shoot them, because they’re being decimated,” Trump said. “They’re running out of launchers.”

[…] Trump during the interview said, “we have unlimited of the middle- and upper middle- ammunition and things. We save it and we build it.”

“The defense companies are on a rapid tear to build the various things we need,” he added. “They’re under emergency orders. We’re making it fast. But we have unlimited, as stupid as [former President Joe] Biden was, he didn’t use it.”

[…] Trump has suggested the war could last four or five weeks or be over in a few more days.

He justified the war by saying Iran was on the verge of having a nuclear weapon or being capable of attacking the United States, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio and House Speaker Mike Johnson said Monday that Israel was poised to strike Iran anyway — meaning America would have been hit in response.

[…] Asked whether it is too late for him to consider working with someone in a new government, Trump replied, “Nope, not too late. 49 [senior Iranian leaders] were killed, don’t forget, so that goes pretty deep, right? New ones are emerging. A lot of people want the job. Some of them would be very good.” (read more)

See, President Trump is so good at creating jobs, he’s even creating job openings in the Iranian government.

Mar 3 2026

U.S. State Dept Urges All Americans to Depart Immediately From 14 High Risk Countries


Posted originally on CTH on March 2, 2026 | Sundance 

The U.S. State Department is now telling all U.S. Citizens from 14 middle east countries to make immediate plans to exit the region. These are not travel advisories, these are specific instructions to leave the region.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar posted on the social media site X that Americans in countries, including Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Israel, should “DEPART NOW” using any available commercial transportation.

The guidance comes as many major airlines have canceled flights to and from the region as the war that began when U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday. It has since grown into a wider regional conflict, touching nearly every country nearby.

A “boxcar effect” is now taking place.  As each day passes without airline flights available, more and more travelers are stuck in the region as their planned departure is cancelled.  What might begin day #1 as several thousand people stranded, can quickly become several tens of thousands in a few days.  The instructions to exit appear timed as an effort to avoid the numbers continuing to climb.  However, without airlines operating departures become problematic.

Mar 3 2026

President Trump Delivers Remarks on Iran During Opening of Medal of Honor Ceremony


Posted originally on CTH on March 2, 2026 | Sundance 

President Trump was previously scheduled to participate in a Medal of Honor ceremony, prior to the start of joint Operation Epic Fury in Iran. As the Medal of Honor event began this morning, President Trump delivered remarks about Iran.  WATCH (prompted):

As noted by President Trump the current operation continues degrading the Iranian war machine.  The U.S. and Israeli military are systematically taking down strategic targets inside Iran.  Simultaneously, the Iranian naval fleet is being targeted and continues to be destroyed.

As target packages are worked using a previous priority list, the U.S. operation continues from air and sea. Waves of missiles, drones, U.S. fighters and bomber aircraft as well as naval assets are continuing to bombard the Iranian military destroying their capacity to wage war.

Mar 3 2026

Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine Hold Pentagon Press Briefing – 8:00am Livestream


Posted originally on CTH on March 2, 2026 | Sundance 

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan “Razin? Caine hold a Pentagon press briefing to discuss the U.S/Israel war against Iran.  The anticipated start time is 8:00am ET with livestream links below:

UPDATE: Video Added – Media Questions begin at 29:00 of the video 

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Mar 3 2026

Friendly Fire – Three U.S. F15 Fighter Jets “Crash” in Kuwait


Posted originally on CTH on March 2, 2026 | Sundance 

Several online videos have surface of U.S. F-15 pilots ejecting out of aircraft that were seemingly hit during combat operations.  According to most accounts the incidents took place over the skies of Kuwait and there are indications these were ‘friendly fire’ mistakes.

With all of the inbound drone, UAV, missile and ballistic missile activity it would not be a surprise to hear of Kuwaiti air defense forces accidentally targeting coalition or U.S. fighter jets that would be traversing the region.

All of the pilots are reported to be safe and with the assistance of the Kuwaiti government returning to their U.S. military bases.  Given the “fog of war” it is best to wait until details are released from the Pentagon.

UPDATE: Immediately after writing, this update appears from CENTCOM:

TAMPA, Fla. – At 11:03 p.m. ET, March 1, three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles flying in support of Operation Epic Fury went down over Kuwait due to an apparent friendly fire incident.

During active combat—that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones — the U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses.

All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition. Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation.

The cause of the incident is under investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available. (SOURCE)

Original:

From the AP: “Several U.S. warplanes crashed Monday in Kuwait, the country’s Defense Ministry said, with all the pilots safely bailing out.

The ministry did not elaborate on what caused the crashes but it came during an intense period of Iranian fire targeting the country.

The Kuwaiti Defense Ministry said the pilots had been taken to a hospital for checkups and their condition was stable.  The U.S. military’s Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (source)

Statement from the Kuwait Ministry of Defense:

“The spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense stated that several U.S. military aircraft crashed this morning, confirming the complete safety of their crews.

He explained that the relevant authorities immediately initiated search and rescue procedures, whereby the crews were evacuated and transferred to the hospital to check on their health status and provide the necessary medical care, noting that their condition is stable.

The official spokesperson added that direct coordination was conducted with the friendly U.S. forces regarding the circumstances of the incident, and joint technical measures were taken.

He affirmed that the concerned authorities are following up on the investigations to determine the causes of the incident, calling for information to be obtained from its official sources.” (more)

Many of us want information so we can evaluate things. However, in the fog of war it is best to be prudent and await official information to understand the full context of what might have happened.

Mar 2 2026

UAE Confirms They Shot Down 541 Drones, 165 Ballistic Missiles and 2 Cruise Missile Fired by Iran – 21 Drones Hit Civilian Targets


Posted originally on CTH on March 1, 2026 | Sundance 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a very popular tourist destination in the middle east with most travelers traveling to the playground of Dubai.  Their economy and image as a safe and secure country are very important.  As a result, they are keenly sensitive, proactive toward negative impressions and highly focused on international opinion/security.

Iran has been sending drones and cruise/ballistic missiles into the entire region; hitting Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan and Israel.

The UAE is sharing how intense they are being targeted along with the network of defense systems being deployed to intercept the attacks.

UAE Ministry of Defense confirms we successfully shot down: 165 ballistic missiles, 2 cruise missiles and 541 drones fired by Iran.

On day 2, we shot down 20 ballistic missiles (8 fell in sea), 2 cruise missiles, and 311 drones. 21 drones hit civilian targets. {SOURCE}

This is a remarkable amount of Iranian firepower being targeted toward one regional nation.  The air defense system of the UAE is highlighting the value in very proactive defense positioning.  Quite remarkable.

[SOURCE]

“[…] – The UAE’s air defense today achieved a success rate of more than 96% in intercepting missiles after destroying 132 out of 137, and more than 93% in intercepting drones after intercepting 195 out of 209, for a total of 327 threats intercepted out of 346 with a success rate of around 95%. This is a figure that places it among the highest interception rates globally, which typically range between 85% and 95% depending on the type of threat and the conditions of engagement.” (source)