Staff Reports
America has answered years of provocation with decisive force, launching Operation Epic Fury at the direction of the president on February 28, 2026 — a coordinated U.S.-Israeli campaign that struck Iranian command nodes, air defenses, missile and drone sites, and military airfields. Patriotism demands we recognize what our military has achieved: the United States put its weight behind a clear objective and moved without dithering while many on the left argued for hesitation.
In the operation’s first days the Pentagon reported an intense, multi-domain campaign that struck hundreds if not thousands of targets as U.S. forces sought to neutralize Iran’s ability to rain missiles and drones on friends and partners in the region. That kind of kinetic clarity is what deterrence looks like after years of talk and weakness from the previous administrations; when the chips were down, American firepower and planning delivered.
Naval assets in the Gulf were a primary focus, because Iran long used its fleets and proxy maritime forces to threaten global commerce and American interests. U.S. commanders have reported striking and disabling Iranian naval vessels, and while the fog of war means precise counts vary in the first days, this campaign has demonstrably degraded Tehran’s sea-based strike options and reopened leverage for American diplomacy.
What is being validated on the battlefield is the smart, ruthless employment of inexpensive attritable systems and sophisticated stand-off munitions — from Tomahawks to one-way LUCAS drones — that impose costs on Tehran at scale while keeping American pilots and sailors safer. This is conservative strategy in action: use American industry and ingenuity to change the math for an adversary and force them to pay for every reckless escalation.
Ignore the fevered social clips that claim flashy Space Force laser beams vaporized missiles in seconds; competent reporting shows advances in counter-UAS directed-energy have been demonstrated and fielded in limited contexts, but there is no authoritative public record that a space-based laser theatered and executed the kind of Hollywood-style strikes some outlets are peddling. We should welcome technological breakthroughs, but patriotically honest conservatives demand sober facts over propaganda — celebrate innovation where it exists, expose hype where it doesn’t.
President Trump’s willingness to put American power on the line is the kind of leadership many of us have been demanding for years, and this operation has reminded allies and adversaries alike that deterrence requires both credible intent and capability. That said, the sacrifice of blood and treasure is real and must be treated with solemnity; conservatives who love country must also demand clear objectives, measured follow-through, and care for our wounded and fallen.
In the weeks ahead the nation must stand united behind our troops, press for accountability from those who wage this campaign, and insist Congress play its constitutional role in authorizing and funding the mission. Hardworking Americans expect their government to defend them, to act boldly when necessary, and to come home with victory and prudence — that should be the conservative rallying cry until the job is done.
