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Operation Epic Fury draws at least six U.S. warships from Pacific and up to 5,000 sorties from European bases into Middle East campaign
Operation Epic Fury drew at least six U.S. warships from Pacific assignments and used European bases to support as many as 5,000 sorties into the Middle East. Forces included the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and elements of the Japan-based Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group, while European facilities provided airspace access, maintenance, weapons storage, fuel and strategic lift. The campaign involved more than 50,000 U.S. personnel and sharply increased logistics demand, illustrating how a major regional operation can consume naval, air-defense and sustainment resources allocated to other theaters.