A pilot in the Israeli Air Force became the first member of his service to score an air-to-air kill in over 40 years, shooting down an Iranian Yak-130. The lopsided encounter embodies the American and Israeli campaign as a whole, which has been marked by careful planning, massive firepower, and overwhelming success.
According to Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of the Pentagon's Central Command, America has attacked almost 2,000 targets, including 17 ships, in four days. Israel is striking around 1,000 targets a day, refueled by American tankers.
The willingness of America and Israel to start the war in broad daylight was shaped by the opportunity to kill Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader. The brazenness reflected the dire state of Iran's air defenses, which were mostly dismantled in last year's 12-day war.
Israel and America have divided Iran into large zones, with Israel handling western and central Iran and America handling southern Iran and its adjacent waters. The division of labor is one reason why Israel has focused on regime targets, while America has concentrated on Iran's navy.
The war plans involve several phases, with two already implemented. The first phase was the opening strike on February 28th, followed by a second phase of 100 hours in which Israel attacked its highest priority targets. A third phase, of lower priority targets, is now under way.
