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Posted on 03/20/2026 8:12:41 AM PDT by MeanWestTexan
The United States has intensified operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, launching low-altitude airstrikes against Iranian vessels and deploying Apache helicopters to intercept incoming drones.
At the center of the campaign is a new addition: the A-10 Thunderbolt II.
America’s top general, Dan Caine, confirmed that the heavily armed A-10s—better known as the “Warthog”—have officially entered the conflict and are now flying combat missions along Iran’s southern flank. Built for close combat and designed to destroy ground targets with brutal efficiency, the aircraft are now being used to hunt Iranian fast-attack boats in the narrow, strategically vital waterway.
“The A-10 is hunting and killing fast-attack watercraft in the Strait of Hormuz,” Caine said at the Pentagon.
Alongside them, AH-64 Apache helicopters have joined the fight, targeting one-way attack drones and supporting allied operations in the region.
U.S. officials say the combined deployment has significantly intensified efforts to neutralize Iranian naval threats that have disrupted commercial shipping.
The Strait of Hormuz—linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman—handles a significant portion of the world’s oil supply. Since Iran moved to shut it down following the outbreak of war, global oil prices have surged past $100 per barrel, rattling markets and raising fears of a prolonged economic shock.
Unclassified footage released by U.S. Central Command shows American strikes obliterating Iranian naval assets in the Strait.
“U.S. forces are destroying Iranian naval targets that threaten international shipping,” CENTCOM said.
The escalation comes just days after U.S. forces reportedly used massive 5,000-pound bunker-busting munitions to strike Iranian missile sites along the coastline near the Strait, suggesting a coordinated effort to dismantle both Iran’s naval and coastal strike capabilities.
Iranian media, meanwhile, claimed Friday that U.S.-Israeli airstrikes set ablaze at least 16 commercial cargo vessels at the southern port of Bandar Lengeh, though those claims have not been verified.
Behind the scenes, the strategy may be expanding even further. A report indicated that the Trump administration is weighing more aggressive options, including the potential seizure or blockade of Kharg Island—an energy hub responsible for roughly 90% of Iran’s oil exports before the war.
President Donald Trump has already signaled that reopening the Strait is non-negotiable.
“One way or another,” he said, “we will open the Strait of Hormuz.”
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I suspect that Iran is going to lose a chunk of their southern coastline at the end of the war.
Continue bombing and strafing. Payback for 1979.
Certainly the oilfields in the south (settled by an ethnic minority) and the coast along the Straight of Hormuz.
“...Continue bombing and strafing. Payback for 1979...”
Exactly. They’ve had it coming to em for a good, long time now..
Give it to these evil basstids good and hard....
Big time.
Try to imagine Iranian sailors on those boats being told that they are about to go out into the Gulf on a mission. Wonder if any mullahs go with them.
The Apaches now also have proximity-fused 30 mike-mike rounds for shooting aerial drones.
I would imagine lots of sudden engine problems on boats making them stay at docks.
And fastboats docked prominently with big “X” on top.
They can’t even staff their missile batteries now, as it’s a death sentence.
B25’s and BeauFighters are happy
I was rotary in the Army (admittedly electronics warfare in a Kiowa) and have no clue what a 30 mike mike round is.
We had twin .50s and called ourselves lucky.
I postulated yesterday that the A10’s were likely after the fast boats but got hit with nay say.
30mm. That is the caliber of an A-10's Gatling gun.
I had assumed they were after drones, but, yes, it appears you are correct.
I suspect that Iran is going to lose a chunk of their southern coastline at the end of the war.
To whom? The bordering country is Pakistan. Not like that is a better dance partner.
30mm is also the caliber of the Apache’s chain gun ... they fire very different rounds, though.
Apparently having a major in international defense systems in college is meaningless on FR. 😆
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