The United States military has released new footage highlighting the powerful role of carrier-based aviation in projecting American air dominance across the Middle East. The video, shared by U.S. Central Command, captures flight operations from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln during Operation Epic Fury, a February 28, 2026, campaign targeting Iranian security infrastructure believed to pose imminent threats to regional stability.

The brief but striking montage shows F/A-18 Super Hornet strike fighters and advanced F-35C Lightning II stealth jets launching from the carrier’s flight deck before returning safely to the ship after completing their missions. The footage underscores a key strategic advantage long held by the United States Navy: the ability to generate sustained combat airpower from the open sea without relying on land bases in foreign countries.

Aircraft carriers remain central to America’s ability to respond rapidly to crises anywhere in the world. A single carrier strike group functions as a mobile airbase capable of deploying dozens of combat aircraft while being protected by a layered defense network of cruisers, destroyers, submarines, and support vessels. This flexibility allows U.S. commanders to project military power even in regions where access to land bases may be politically sensitive or strategically risky.

The USS Abraham Lincoln, one of the Navy’s Nimitz-class carriers, has played a significant role in maintaining security across key maritime routes and conflict zones. During Operation Epic Fury, its air wing conducted continuous flight operations designed to suppress hostile threats while maintaining persistent aerial surveillance over areas of concern.