On Saturday (March 14), the U.S. military released a video showing the USS John Finn (DDG-113), a destroyer, launching 13 Tomahawk cruise missiles towards Iranian targets.
The John Finn is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer of the U.S. Navy, which has been in service since 2017 and is currently stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, under the 7th Fleet’s Destroyer Squadron 15.
Equipped with the Aegis Combat System, the ship has strong capabilities in air defense, anti-submarine, and anti-ship warfare. The John Finn has been actively carrying out missions in the Indo-Pacific region, including operations such as Taiwan Strait transits to uphold freedom of navigation.
The video shows a missile swiftly launching into the sky as the hatches open, followed by 13 missiles flying in sequence towards Iranian targets, illuminating the night sky. This demonstration is seen as a showcase of the U.S. Navy’s powerful precision strike capabilities.
The U.S. military explained that this action is part of the John Finn’s participation in the “Epic Fury” military operation against Iran, which commenced on Tuesday (10th).
The John Finn destroyer made headlines in January when it sailed through the Taiwan Strait, inciting close monitoring and tracking by the Chinese military. The strait, approximately 110 miles wide, separates Taiwan from mainland China.
Military analysts suggested that the U.S. military’s move was aimed at demonstrating rapid deployment and strike capabilities in the “First Island Chain,” coordinating tactical actions between the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, and directly displaying strength on territorial red lines claimed by Beijing.