The markings depict 103 attack drones, 34 surface vessels and 10 submarines. Hegseth said the strike group destroyed 77 drones and sank 64 Iranian vessels between February 28 and its departure from the region on August 22.
The painted tally lists 26 more drones than Hegseth’s account. Its combined total of surface vessels and submarines is lower than the number of vessels he reported sunk.
Hegseth also credited the group with destroying 21 anti-ship cruise missiles. He said it defended against four fast attack boats and wooden sailing vessels carrying explosives.
The strike group’s aircraft and helicopters flew 3,693 combat sorties during Operation Epic Fury. The group expended 621 metric tons of aviation ordnance and launched 450 Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles against land targets.
The carrier was not the only platform to receive target markings after the operation. They also appeared on participating aircraft, including an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 41, or VFA-41.
