Operation Epic Fury & Project Freedom: US Secures Strait of Hormuz | Hegseth & Caine Briefing

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine detail the launch of "Project Freedom" to secure the Strait of Hormuz. In a critical update from the Pentagon, Sec. Hegseth and Gen. Caine outline US Central Command's (CENTCOM) latest initiative in the Middle East: Project Freedom. Separate from Operation Epic Fury, this defensive mission aims to break Iranian extortion and reopen vital commercial shipping lanes in the Arabian Gulf. The US has established a "red, white, and blue dome" utilizing guided-missile destroyers, over 100 aircraft, and 15,000 personnel synchronized by the 82nd Airborne Division. Watch the full briefing to understand how advanced joint all-domain command and control (JADC2) networks are neutralizing fast boat threats, enforcing an ironclad blockade on Iranian vessels, and maintaining a localized grip on air and sea control. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 - Project Freedom Announced: Sec. Hegseth Outlines the Mission 02:21 - The "Red, White, and Blue Dome": US Navy Destroyers & Aerial Overwatch 05:04 - CENTCOM Tactical Update: Defeating Iranian Fast Boats & Drones 08:52 - 82nd Airborne & Joint Forces: AI-Enabled Tactical Dominance 12:46 - Fallen Heroes Tribute: Honoring the 718th Engineering Company 13:30 - Press Q&A - Fast Boat Threats: Kinetic Destruction of Small Craft 18:14 - Ceasefire and Escalation Thresholds: US Forces "Locked and Loaded" 22:42 - Operation Midnight Hammer: Dismantling Iran's Conventional Umbrella 24:26 - Geopolitical Strategy: Independent US Operations Directed by the President Operational Timestamps 00:00:13 - Project Freedom Announced: Sec. Hegseth outlines the mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz against Iranian extortion and harassment. 00:02:21 - The "Red, White, and Blue Dome": Details on the deployment of US destroyers and 24/7 aerial overwatch to protect international commerce while simultaneously turning away Iranian blockade runners. 00:05:04 - CENTCOM Tactical Update: Gen. Caine details the establishment of an enhanced security area and the neutralization of Iranian fast boats and one-way attack drones. 00:08:52 - 82nd Airborne & Joint Forces: Breakdown of the 15,000 US personnel involved and their use of AI-enabled tactical networks to dominate the battlespace. 00:12:46 - Fallen Heroes Tribute: Gen. Caine honors the memories of the US Army Reserve soldiers from the 718th Engineering Company tragically killed at Tower 22. 00:13:30 - Press Q&A - Fast Boat Threats: Sec. Hegseth addresses the kinetic destruction of Iranian small craft and coastal cruise missiles attempting to close in on US destroyers. 00:18:14 - Ceasefire and Escalation Thresholds: Clarification that the ceasefire holds, but US forces remain "locked and loaded" to resume major combat if Iran escalates further. 00:22:42 - Operation Midnight Hammer: Sec. Hegseth discusses how the prior kinetic phase successfully targeted Iran's conventional umbrella and nuclear ambitions. 00:24:26 - Geopolitical Strategy: Reaffirmation of independent US strategy in the region, emphasizing that President Trump directs the strategic timeline regardless of differing allied objectives. Join this channel to get access to perks:    / @defensenow   Defense Now | May 2026    • DN May 2026   ⬇️ Support Defense Now! ⬇️ Your #1 Source for Military Videos & News :) All About Only Military Stuff! 👍 Don't forget to LIKE this video! 🔔 SUBSCRIBE & hit the bell so you never miss an update:    / defensenow   Members-only videos    • Members-only videos   [Copyright / Source Disclaimer] Footage provided by the public domain. All content is for educational and news-reporting purposes. Secretary Hegseth and Chairman Caine Hold a Press Briefing on Operation Epic Fury - 05/5/2026 Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, hold a press briefing at the Pentagon on May 5, 2026. Film Credits: Department of War