Admiral Brad Cooper

Mr. Secretary, first, thank you very much, and good afternoon, and welcome to U.S.

Central Command Headquarters, America's warfighting headquarters.

It's great to be here alongside the Secretary and representing the more than 50,000 men and women in uniform currently executing

Operation Epic Fury.

So Mr. Secretary, first, thank you very much for your leadership and support and the very clear vision and objectives that you've given us to allow us to use overwhelming force against the Iranian terrorist regime.

And thanks to all of you for attending today, and welcome to Tampa.

We are now starting our sixth day of a historic mission to eliminate Iran's ability to threaten Americans.

We are – if I could channel my inner Navy officer – we are at full speed ahead in executing orders given by leadership in Washington.

The President and Secretary Hexseth have been crystal clear in their expectations, and we are at a high level of execution.

As described by the Secretary and earlier this week by me, U.S.

combat power is building as Iranian combat power declines.

Our air dominance allows us to hit Iran's center of gravity with overwhelming power and reach.

A couple of examples.

In just the last 72 hours, America's bomber force has struck nearly 200 targets deep inside of Iran, including around Tehran.

And in just the last hour, U.S.

B-2 bombers dropped dozens of 2,000-pound penetrator bombs targeting deeply buried ballistic missile launchers.

Notably, we have also struck Iran's equivalent of Space Command, which degrades their ability to threaten Americans.

Then if I just look back over the last 24 hours of the operation compared to where we were at start, ballistic missile attacks have decreased by 90% since day one.

Drone attacks have decreased by 83% since day one.

Having said this, we remain vigilant.