Photo: Alamy
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth visited troops on the ground fighting in the war against Iran this past weekend, and what he saw there, he said, was the “best of America.”
“Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to visit our troops fighting in Operation Epic Fury,” Hegseth said during a press briefing on Tuesday at the Pentagon.
He continued, “We were on the ground in CENTCOM on Saturday for about half the day. For reasons of operational security, so those troops are not targeted, the places and bases will not be named. Suffice it to say, the trip was an honor. 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. Active duty, Guard, and Reserve. United in their love for each other, their shared purpose, and their commitment to the mission.”
Hegseth recounted some of the personal interactions he had with U.S. servicemembers on the ground. In one story, he said that, while speaking with a junior airman, he asked her if there was anything the forces needed.
“‘More bombs, sir,’” Hegseth said she told him. “We will happily oblige.”
Hegseth additionally gave an update on the three Air Force captains who were recently shot down by friendly fire over Kuwait, “early in the fight, weeks ago.”
He said these individuals “never left the theater” and that “all dropped bombs over Tehran last night.”
As the United States enters its fifth week of combat against Iran, Hegseth said that Iran would be “wise” to cut a deal with President Donald Trump.
“President Trump does not bluff and does not back down,” Hegseth said. “You can ask Khamenei about that. The new Iranian regime should know that by now.”
If they do not choose peace, Hegseth warned, “then the United States War Department will continue – with even more intensity.”