Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson said on March 13, 2026, that more than 50,000 U.S. service members are supporting Operation Epic Fury targeting Iranian military capabilities.
The update, delivered in the War Department’s Weekly Sitrep video, also detailed homeland security actions in Washington, Arctic defense exercises, and a counter-narco-terrorism strike in the eastern Pacific.
The briefing summarized multiple U.S. military activities across different commands during the past week. According to the U.S. Department of Defense Weekly Sitrep and operational releases from U.S. Central Command, U.S. Northern Command, and U.S. Southern Command, the actions span overseas combat operations, domestic infrastructure protection, and multinational defense training.
Pentagon briefing outlines Operation Epic Fury progress
Kingsley Wilson said in the War Department’s Weekly Sitrep that more than 50,000 U.S. service members are currently supporting Operation Epic Fury. According to operational reporting from U.S. Central Command released March 2026, the campaign has established control across air and maritime domains while targeting Iranian military infrastructure.
Additionally, the Department of Defense briefing reported that the campaign is designed to systematically dismantle Iran’s ability to threaten U.S. forces and regional partners. The operational data reflects the scale of the campaign and demonstrates how sustained strikes can reduce hostile military capacity over time.
Operational statistics and strike outcomes
| Indicator | Recent Movement | Context |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. service members deployed | Over 50,000 personnel supporting operations | Force levels cited by Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson in the War Department Weekly Sitrep released March 13, 2026 |
| Targets struck | Approximately 6,000 Iranian targets hit | Operational statistics reported by U.S. Central Command during Operation Epic Fury briefings in March 2026 |
| Naval assets damaged or destroyed | More than 60 vessels and 30 minelayers affected | Combat damage assessments cited by U.S. Central Command during the Pentagon operational update |
Warning issued over military activity in Strait of Hormuz ports
U.S. Central Command issued a warning on March 11 stating that Iranian forces were using civilian ports along the Strait of Hormuz for military operations. According to the U.S. Central Command public notice, such activity threatens international shipping lanes and increases risks to civilians working at those facilities.
Additionally, CENTCOM warned that civilian infrastructure used for military purposes may lose protected status under the laws of armed conflict. The advisory reflects growing concern about maritime security in one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.
Legal and operational implications for civilian port use
International humanitarian law recognizes civilian ports as protected infrastructure during armed conflict. However, according to the U.S. Central Command statement issued March 11, ports used to support military operations may become legitimate military targets.
Meanwhile, the advisory emphasized that Iranian military use of civilian infrastructure could endanger nearby civilian populations and disrupt commercial shipping. The CENTCOM warning therefore links legal classification with operational risk in the Strait of Hormuz.
Homeland security role of new National Guard brigade
The Department of Defense also highlighted a homeland security development in Washington, D.C. According to the War Department Weekly Sitrep, the District of Columbia National Guard activated the 260th Special Purpose Brigade at the D.C. National Guard Armory on March 7.
Additionally, the brigade was created following Executive Order 14339 issued by President Donald J. Trump and a directive from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The unit is specifically designed to coordinate military support to civil authorities and protect critical infrastructure in the nation’s capital.
Coordination between National Guard and federal agencies
The Department of Defense said the brigade will integrate National Guard operations with federal and local security agencies. According to remarks delivered during the activation ceremony, U.S. Marshal Jurgen Soekhoe emphasized the importance of interagency coordination when protecting national institutions and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the structure is intended to allow rapid response during public safety emergencies. The Department of Defense briefing described the brigade as the only Army unit specifically designed for large-scale coordination of military support to civil authorities in Washington.
Arctic Edge 2026 strengthens northern defense readiness
The Pentagon briefing also referenced Arctic Edge 2026, a three-week field training exercise conducted across Alaska and Greenland. According to a press release from U.S. Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, the exercise brought together U.S. forces, allied militaries, and interagency partners.
Additionally, the exercise focused on strengthening homeland defense capabilities in the Arctic region. NORAD and NORTHCOM said the training improves interoperability between military services and government agencies operating in the high north.
Operational training objectives from the exercise
- Cruise missile defense: U.S. Northern Command reported that Arctic Edge 2026 included testing and coordination drills for detecting and responding to cruise missile threats.
- Infrastructure protection: According to NORTHCOM, participating agencies conducted joint exercises focused on protecting Alaska’s power grids and other critical infrastructure.
- Counter-UAS operations: Training scenarios included defenses against small unmanned aerial systems, as outlined in the NORTHCOM exercise objectives.
- Arctic mobility training: NORAD and U.S. Northern Command said troops conducted survival and mobility training in Greenland to improve operations in extreme Arctic environments.
U.S. Southern Command strike against narco-terrorist vessel
The War Department Weekly Sitrep also reported a kinetic strike conducted by Joint Task Force Southern Spear. According to U.S. Southern Command, the operation occurred March 8 after intelligence identified a vessel operating along narcotics trafficking routes in the eastern Pacific.
Additionally, the command stated that the vessel was operated by members of a designated terrorist organization. The U.S. State Department maintains Foreign Terrorist Organization designations under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, most recently updated in the Federal Register during 2025.
Stakeholder comments
- Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson: Wilson said in the War Department Weekly Sitrep that U.S. forces continue to apply “devastating combat power” while dismantling threats posed by the Iranian regime.
- U.S. Marshal Jurgen Soekhoe: Speaking at the brigade activation ceremony, Soekhoe said the 260th Special Purpose Brigade strengthens coordination between federal law enforcement and National Guard forces responsible for capital security.
Parting Shot
The War Department Weekly Sitrep summarized several ongoing U.S. military activities spanning combat operations, homeland defense, and multinational training exercises. Data released by U.S. Central Command, U.S. Northern Command, and U.S. Southern Command reflects the broad operational scope of current U.S. defense priorities.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon’s update shows how overseas operations, Arctic readiness, and domestic security coordination are being managed simultaneously through multiple combatant commands and interagency partnerships.
Sources: U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Central Command, U.S. Northern Command.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources.
Research combines AI-assisted analysis with human-edited accuracy and context.
