Metric for Success in Operation Epic Fury: Destruction of Iran’s Military Power (From the FOX News Rundown)

Fox News Rundown: Dr. Rebecca Grant, what’s on your mind?

Rebecca Grant: The death of Ayatollah Khamenei offers a new day for Iran and the prospects of peace across the Middle East, and it’s come as a direct result of precision U.S. Air and Space power.  President Trump was right to seize the moment. B-2 bombers are back in action. Air Force F-22s and F-35s, along with two aircraft carriers and more land-based fighters, are leading the most sophisticated air campaign ever launched by U.S. forces. However, the number one metric for success in Operation Epic Fury is simple: the destruction of Iran’s military power.  Here are the top three priorities.   First, destroy the missiles.  The core military objective and the biggest target set is destroying Iran’s missile complex. You can see why.  Just look at the strikes they’ve launched. Left to simmer, it would have been the U.S. next. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made clear Iran was trying to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles to reach us here in America.  The missile targets are spread across the country, and Iran’s salvos against Gulf states are actually revealing more potential targets.  Target sets expand as sensors pick up what the military calls “dynamic targets,” targets you see when they start shooting.

Chasing leadership “got-aways” and ensuring fixed-site destruction will be the prime factor in how long Operation Epic Fury continues. 

Second, U.S. forces are playing offense and defense at the same time.  Crucial to both is the U.S. Space Force.  Their satellites are the first alert against Iranian missile launches; then it’s up to U.S. Navy destroyers, Air Force and Navy fighters, and of course, ground-based systems to chew up the incoming.

Finally, while not a direct objective of Operation Epic Fury, these in-your-face strikes should scare China. China is seeing that the U.S. can wield stealthy, precision air power with incredible intelligence along a 2000-mile arc.  For there is another strategic reality driving this operation. President Trump needs to complete the takedown of Iran’s capability now, so our military can concentrate on deterring China and protecting our home shores in the Western Hemisphere.

Full clip from the FOX News Rundown here with the commentary segment starting at 28:30.