Washington, April 8 (NationPress) The United States has conducted airstrikes on over 13,000 military targets during Operation Epic Fury, resulting in the tragic loss of 13 American service members, as reported by the Pentagon on Wednesday.

Air Force General Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, emphasized that the scale of these operations illustrates the campaign's extensive reach and intensity.

“Since the initiation of significant combat operations, our joint forces have successfully targeted more than 13,000 sites,” he stated.

Of these targets, over 4,000 were dynamically identified during the operation and were swiftly dealt with through advanced command-and-control mechanisms.

The operation comprised more than 10,000 missions, including 62 sorties by bombers, some of which lasted over 30 hours round-trip from the US to engage Iranian targets.

“No other military in the world has this capability,” Caine remarked, highlighting the logistical prowess of the United States.

The campaign focused on a variety of Iranian military assets, leading to the destruction of over 450 ballistic missile storage facilities, 801 drone storage locations, and more than 1,500 air defense sites, effectively neutralizing around 80% of Iran's air defense systems.

Caine noted that the operation also targeted Iran’s command and control frameworks, striking more than 2,000 nodes and significantly impairing its ability to coordinate military actions.

“We’ve severely impacted Iran’s command, control, and logistical capabilities,” he stated.

Naval operations were similarly extensive, with the US claiming to have sunk over 90% of Iran’s naval fleet and destroyed more than 95% of its naval mines through upwards of 700 strikes.

The destruction extended to Iran's defense manufacturing sector, with nearly 90% of its weapon production facilities targeted, including those responsible for drones and missile parts.

“Approximately 80% of Iran’s nuclear industrial capacity was impacted,” Caine added.

The operation necessitated the deployment of over 50,000 US personnel across the Central Command area and supporting bases, with troops consuming millions of meals while operating continuously for more than five weeks.

Caine remarked that the statistics barely capture the realities of warfare, describing it as “gritty and unforgiving... chaotic, hot, dark, and unpredictable.”

Despite the operational achievements, the Pentagon recognized the sacrifice of 13 US service members during the operation.

“We honor our fallen and their families... particularly those 13 brave souls from Operation Epic Fury,” Caine stated.

He emphasized that their sacrifice highlights the risks faced by troops, even in a campaign deemed highly effective.

The Pentagon concluded that the operation has significantly diminished Iran’s capability to exert influence in the region and pose threats to US interests.