Hegseth Took Secret Middle East Trip To Visit Troops On ‘Epic Fury’ Front Lines

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth revealed Tuesday that he recently made an undisclosed trip to multiple United States military bases throughout the Middle East to meet with troops and observe ongoing operations. 

“Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to visit our troops fighting in Operation Epic Fury,” Hegseth said during a Tuesday morning press briefing. “For reasons of operational security, so those troops are not targeted, the places and bases will not be named.”

“I had a chance to bear witness, and I witnessed the best of America. I witnessed warriors, a brotherhood of men and women, warriors all,” he added. “Active duty, Guard and reserve, united in their love for each other, their shared purpose, and their commitment to the mission.”

After the press briefing, Hegseth posted pictures from the trip on his social media. 

I witnessed warriors. A brotherhood of men and women – warriors all. pic.twitter.com/S7cDcATpOI

— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) March 31, 2026

He described speaking with service members involved in strike missions, as well as personnel tasked with intercepting drones and missiles. 

“I spoke to Air Force and Navy pilots on the flight line who every day both deliver bombs deep into Iran but also shoot down drones defending their base. Many had just returned from the skies of Iran and Tehran,” Hegseth said. “I put on a headset and spoke to one crew in the cockpit, locked and loaded each and every day.”

Hegseth added that he spoke with an Army officer who had learned a new maneuver to neutralize Iranian missiles and another intelligence officer involved in targeting decisions. 

During the same briefing, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine said American forces have struck more than 11,000 targets since the beginning of the war on February 28.

Caine added that the Air Force had begun conducting overland B-52 missions and that more than 150 Iranian naval vessels had been destroyed as American forces expanded operations in the region.