December 20, 2025 • 11 mins
-
Operation Hawkeye
- A large-scale U.S. military strike targeting ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites across more than 70 locations in Syria.
- Ordered by President Trump in response to an ambush that killed two U.S. service members and a civilian interpreter.
- Objective: Deliver a “declaration of vengeance,” not a declaration of war.
-
Military Details
- Use of precision munitions and advanced aircraft (F-15s, A-10s, F-16s), helicopters, and artillery.
- Over 100 precision strikes aimed at ISIS logistics, command centers, and storage depots to minimize collateral damage.
- Coalition involvement: Jordanian jets participated, showing multinational cooperation.
-
Casualties and Context
- Attack followed the killing of two Iowa National Guard soldiers and a civilian translator during a meeting near Palmyra, Syria.
- U.S. dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base attended by President Trump.
-
Strategic Impact
- Intended to degrade ISIS operational capabilities and deter future attacks.
- Reinforces Trump’s doctrine: Any attack on U.S. personnel will be met with overwhelming force.
- Broader campaign includes previous strikes in Somalia targeting ISIS leadership.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
What do you expect to make your announcement about to
do fetch here, sir, before the end of the year.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
What do you think over the next couple of weeks.
I mean, I don't know before the end.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
Of the year, but pretty sid you're listening to the
forty seven Morning Update with Ben ferguson.
Speaker 4 (00:15):
Good Saturday morning. It's so nice to have you with
us on the forty seven Morning Update. And we've got
one very big story for you. The US, under Donald
Trump's command, launch what is being described as a vengeance
attack on ISIS targets after National Guard soldiers were killed.
Several suspected terrorice sites were targeted across central Syria, and
(00:37):
President made it clear you mess with American service members,
we will confine you and we will hunt you down.
They have all the details of the attack. But first,
I want to tell you about an amazing opportunity right
now that I'm involved in and I cannot wait for
you to take advantage of it. I want you to
take some incredible courses at Hillsdale College are free. You
(01:01):
may not know this, but Hillsdale College has been influencing
conservatives like myself for decades. They had a huge impact
on Charlie Kirk's life, and even as memorial service, they
talked about how Charlie took class after class after class
at Hillsdale College. Hillsdale College is now offering for you,
the listeners of this show, more than forty free I
(01:24):
want to say that again, free online courses. That's right,
more than forty free online courses. You can learn about
the works of C. S. Lewis, the stories in the
Book of Genesis, the meaning of the US Constitution, the
rise and fall of the Roman Republic, or the history
of the ancient Christian Church, all with Hillsdale College's free
(01:47):
online courses. Right now, I'm personally taking the Constitution one
oh one. In this course, you're gonna exploit the design
and the purpose of the Constitution, the challenges that faced
during the Civil War, and how it has been undermined
for more than a century by radical progressives and liberals.
This twelve lecture course is self pace. It's another reason
(02:10):
why I love it so start whenever and wherever in
our country. We need more Americans like you and I
than understand the Constitution and can defend the freedom of
the American people against the left and their increasing encroachments
on our God given rights. So start your classes today
for free. Start your free Constitution one oh one course
(02:32):
right now. How do you do it? Go to Hillsdale
dot edu slash Morning Update to enroll and it's no cost.
It's easy to get started. You got to use a
special website Hillsdale dot edu slash Morning Update. Enroll for
free Hillsdale dot edu slash Morning Update. It's the forty
(02:55):
seven Morning Update and it starts right now. Story number
one and retaliatory strike ordered by the President of the
United States of America. It was called Operation Hawkeye. The
US military launched a large scale air and ground strike
targeting ISIS fighters, infrastructures, and weapon sites across seventy plus locations.
(03:19):
The operation was ordered by President Donald Trump in direct
response to an ambush that killed American personnel signaling firm deterrents.
The strikes reportedly delivered a significant blow to ISIS remnants
operational capabilities by hitting logistics, storage depots, command and control points,
(03:39):
and infrastructure. How did it happen the use of precision
munitions in a mix of aircraft. F fifteens, A tens
and F sixteens were used as well as helicopters and
artillery demonstrated that the US's tactical effectiveness and military coordination
was unbelievable. I want you to hear how Fox News
(04:02):
described this breaking news.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
We begin tonight with President Trump's response to last week's
killing of two American service members and a civilian interpreter
in Syria. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth calls new air
strikes tonight in Syria a declaration of vengeance against ISIS terrorists.
We have Fox Team coverage on the breaking story. Trey
Yanks is in Tel Aviv with reaction to the strikes,
(04:25):
and Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin starts us off
with what we know here in Washington.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Good even Jennifer, Good evening. Brett, a senior US official,
tells Fox the US military has struck more than fifty
ISIS targets in the past two hours, following the President's
order to quote hit them hard. After the killing of
three Americans Saturday, two members of the Iowa National Guard
and their civilian translator by a member of the Syrian
security forces, US Central Command launched a massive strike on
(04:54):
dozens of ISIS targets in an operation called Operation Hawkeye
Strike Iowa, the Hawkeye State. The strikes took place at
multiple locations across Syria. The targets include ISIS infrastructure and
weapons storage sites. Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth tweeted quote, this
is not the beginning of a war. It is a
declaration of vengeance. The United States of America, under President
(05:17):
Trump's leadership, will never hesitate and never relent to defend
our people. Sergeant William Nate Howard twenty nine of Marshalltown
and Sergeant Edgar Torres Tovar twenty five of Des Moines
and their civilian interpreter, a ed Mansour Sakat of Michigan
returned home in a dignified transfer Wednesday at Dover Air
Force Base in Delaware, where they were met by the President.
(05:40):
The December thirteenth attack, which took place while a senior
US military commander was meeting his Syrian counterparts near Palmyra
in central Syria. Afterwards, Syrian security forces helped carry out
ten partnered operations across Syria that led to the death,
were told or detainment of more than two dozen ISIS
affiliates individuals. The US provided support during those raids. Those
(06:04):
raids BREAD led to the confiscation of electronics and individual
interviews that resulted in the intelligence used for this operation
to locate potential targets. A Sintcom review is ongoing into
the exact affiliation of the Syrian gunmen who joined the
security forces just two months before. The gunman was in
the process BREAD of being removed from the Syrian military
(06:26):
for suspected Jehattis ties.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
Now, by targeting hundreds of ISIS positions, the retaliation reduced
the group's ability to regroup or conduct future large scale operations.
The White House has said leaders called the effort a
declaration of vengeance. Underlying the attacks on US forces will
be met with overwhelming force, which can deter future aggressions.
(06:52):
President Trump publicly worn ISIS and broader terrace networks that
threats to American would be met with strong and sustained retaliation,
reinforcing our resolved. The other part about this attack that's
incredible was the precision engagement. US forces reportedly conducted strikes
(07:14):
using over one hundred precision munitions, focusing on ISIS logistical
and command targets rather than broad assaults. Such target actions
are designed to reduce collateral damage while maximizing impact on
militant capabilities. This aligns with the broader US military precision doctrine,
(07:34):
minimizing unintended harm and again reinforcing what the President said,
this isn't a declaration of war, it's a declaration of
vengeance after killing our soldiers.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
Now.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
The operation integrated air assets, helicopter, gunships, rocket artillery, and
support from coalition aircraft. Jordanian jets were involved, as well
a demonstration of a multi national cooperation specifically against ISIS
terras now. These strikes also were meant to send a
(08:08):
very clear message to other terrorist organizations around the world
that the US will protect its troops, as the White
House described it, and civilians overseas, reducing likelihood terrorists can
act with impunity. By targeting infrastructure, weapons storage sites, and
launch points, the campaign actively reduces the ability of ISIS
(08:32):
to plan, to coordinate, and to execute attacks in this
part of the world. In the region, the campaign reportedly
occurred alongside ongoing cooperation with Syrian authorities who are aligned
with US goals against ISIS, adding diplomatic and local enforcement
support to military actions. Now beyond Syria, US strikes ordered
(08:55):
by President Trump earlier in twenty twenty five targeted ISIS
positions in some mid including air strikes that killed dozens
of fighters and eliminated key operational commanders, degrading the group's
leadership and recruitment capabilities, specifically in Somalia. These actions are
(09:15):
part of a continuous campaign, the White House says, to
prevent the resurgence of IIS, even after its territorial leaders
were defeated, showing long term commitment to global stability, and
this goes back to what the President promised. Strong deterrens
show that the US has a commitment to retaliate decisively
(09:37):
against any terrorist threat. The White House also said, this
proves that we are degrading the enemy's capabilities strikes that
disrupt ICE's infrastructure and limit the ability to well get
back together, to organize, and to attack. The White House
also said this precision and professionalism shown by the US
(09:59):
governm should also be a deterrent because the use of
advanced technology, advanced tactics, and coordination minimize risk to civilians
and they also maximize the impact of killing actual terrorists
and then the coalition cooperation which is so important. Marco Rubio,
the Secretary of State and others working around the clock
(10:21):
to make sure they had partner nations that we're willing
to work together on this. It strengthens our security efforts
as well in the Middle East. And finally, it is
about protecting our US forces. When you kill a man
or a woman in uniform under Donald Trump's watch, We're
gonna find you, We're gonna hunt you down, and we're
(10:43):
gonna kill you. It reinforces the Trump doctrine the US
personnel abroad will be defended by whatever means are necessary
by the commander in chief. At the end of the day,
it's very clear that the President of United States of
America meant what he said when he said it is
going to be a major response, and it will be
(11:05):
one that they will know not to mess with us again.
And that's exactly what the present's objective was. Quick Break
Ben Ferguson's show your phone calls one eight hundred four
seven four nine seven three two one eight hundred four
seven four nine seven three to two. Patreontmobile dot com
(11:26):
phone lines are open.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
Thank you for listening to the forty seven Morning Update
with Ben Ferguson. Please make sure you hit subscribe wherever
you're listening to this podcast right now and for more
in depth news, also subscribe to the Ben Ferguson Podcast,
and we will see you back here tomorrow
What do you expect to make your announcement about to
do fetch here, sir, before the end of the year.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
What do you think over the next couple of weeks.
I mean, I don't know before the end.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
Of the year, but pretty sid you're listening to the
forty seven Morning Update with Ben ferguson.
Speaker 4 (00:15):
Good Saturday morning. It's so nice to have you with
us on the forty seven Morning Update. And we've got
one very big story for you. The US, under Donald
Trump's command, launch what is being described as a vengeance
attack on ISIS targets after National Guard soldiers were killed.
Several suspected terrorice sites were targeted across central Syria, and
(00:37):
President made it clear you mess with American service members,
we will confine you and we will hunt you down.
They have all the details of the attack. But first,
I want to tell you about an amazing opportunity right
now that I'm involved in and I cannot wait for
you to take advantage of it. I want you to
take some incredible courses at Hillsdale College are free. You
(01:01):
may not know this, but Hillsdale College has been influencing
conservatives like myself for decades. They had a huge impact
on Charlie Kirk's life, and even as memorial service, they
talked about how Charlie took class after class after class
at Hillsdale College. Hillsdale College is now offering for you,
the listeners of this show, more than forty free I
(01:24):
want to say that again, free online courses. That's right,
more than forty free online courses. You can learn about
the works of C. S. Lewis, the stories in the
Book of Genesis, the meaning of the US Constitution, the
rise and fall of the Roman Republic, or the history
of the ancient Christian Church, all with Hillsdale College's free
(01:47):
online courses. Right now, I'm personally taking the Constitution one
oh one. In this course, you're gonna exploit the design
and the purpose of the Constitution, the challenges that faced
during the Civil War, and how it has been undermined
for more than a century by radical progressives and liberals.
This twelve lecture course is self pace. It's another reason
(02:10):
why I love it so start whenever and wherever in
our country. We need more Americans like you and I
than understand the Constitution and can defend the freedom of
the American people against the left and their increasing encroachments
on our God given rights. So start your classes today
for free. Start your free Constitution one oh one course
(02:32):
right now. How do you do it? Go to Hillsdale
dot edu slash Morning Update to enroll and it's no cost.
It's easy to get started. You got to use a
special website Hillsdale dot edu slash Morning Update. Enroll for
free Hillsdale dot edu slash Morning Update. It's the forty
(02:55):
seven Morning Update and it starts right now. Story number
one and retaliatory strike ordered by the President of the
United States of America. It was called Operation Hawkeye. The
US military launched a large scale air and ground strike
targeting ISIS fighters, infrastructures, and weapon sites across seventy plus locations.
(03:19):
The operation was ordered by President Donald Trump in direct
response to an ambush that killed American personnel signaling firm deterrents.
The strikes reportedly delivered a significant blow to ISIS remnants
operational capabilities by hitting logistics, storage depots, command and control points,
(03:39):
and infrastructure. How did it happen the use of precision
munitions in a mix of aircraft. F fifteens, A tens
and F sixteens were used as well as helicopters and
artillery demonstrated that the US's tactical effectiveness and military coordination
was unbelievable. I want you to hear how Fox News
(04:02):
described this breaking news.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
We begin tonight with President Trump's response to last week's
killing of two American service members and a civilian interpreter
in Syria. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth calls new air
strikes tonight in Syria a declaration of vengeance against ISIS terrorists.
We have Fox Team coverage on the breaking story. Trey
Yanks is in Tel Aviv with reaction to the strikes,
(04:25):
and Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin starts us off
with what we know here in Washington.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Good even Jennifer, Good evening. Brett, a senior US official,
tells Fox the US military has struck more than fifty
ISIS targets in the past two hours, following the President's
order to quote hit them hard. After the killing of
three Americans Saturday, two members of the Iowa National Guard
and their civilian translator by a member of the Syrian
security forces, US Central Command launched a massive strike on
(04:54):
dozens of ISIS targets in an operation called Operation Hawkeye
Strike Iowa, the Hawkeye State. The strikes took place at
multiple locations across Syria. The targets include ISIS infrastructure and
weapons storage sites. Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth tweeted quote, this
is not the beginning of a war. It is a
declaration of vengeance. The United States of America, under President
(05:17):
Trump's leadership, will never hesitate and never relent to defend
our people. Sergeant William Nate Howard twenty nine of Marshalltown
and Sergeant Edgar Torres Tovar twenty five of Des Moines
and their civilian interpreter, a ed Mansour Sakat of Michigan
returned home in a dignified transfer Wednesday at Dover Air
Force Base in Delaware, where they were met by the President.
(05:40):
The December thirteenth attack, which took place while a senior
US military commander was meeting his Syrian counterparts near Palmyra
in central Syria. Afterwards, Syrian security forces helped carry out
ten partnered operations across Syria that led to the death,
were told or detainment of more than two dozen ISIS
affiliates individuals. The US provided support during those raids. Those
(06:04):
raids BREAD led to the confiscation of electronics and individual
interviews that resulted in the intelligence used for this operation
to locate potential targets. A Sintcom review is ongoing into
the exact affiliation of the Syrian gunmen who joined the
security forces just two months before. The gunman was in
the process BREAD of being removed from the Syrian military
(06:26):
for suspected Jehattis ties.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
Now, by targeting hundreds of ISIS positions, the retaliation reduced
the group's ability to regroup or conduct future large scale operations.
The White House has said leaders called the effort a
declaration of vengeance. Underlying the attacks on US forces will
be met with overwhelming force, which can deter future aggressions.
(06:52):
President Trump publicly worn ISIS and broader terrace networks that
threats to American would be met with strong and sustained retaliation,
reinforcing our resolved. The other part about this attack that's
incredible was the precision engagement. US forces reportedly conducted strikes
(07:14):
using over one hundred precision munitions, focusing on ISIS logistical
and command targets rather than broad assaults. Such target actions
are designed to reduce collateral damage while maximizing impact on
militant capabilities. This aligns with the broader US military precision doctrine,
(07:34):
minimizing unintended harm and again reinforcing what the President said,
this isn't a declaration of war, it's a declaration of
vengeance after killing our soldiers.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
Now.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
The operation integrated air assets, helicopter, gunships, rocket artillery, and
support from coalition aircraft. Jordanian jets were involved, as well
a demonstration of a multi national cooperation specifically against ISIS
terras now. These strikes also were meant to send a
(08:08):
very clear message to other terrorist organizations around the world
that the US will protect its troops, as the White
House described it, and civilians overseas, reducing likelihood terrorists can
act with impunity. By targeting infrastructure, weapons storage sites, and
launch points, the campaign actively reduces the ability of ISIS
(08:32):
to plan, to coordinate, and to execute attacks in this
part of the world. In the region, the campaign reportedly
occurred alongside ongoing cooperation with Syrian authorities who are aligned
with US goals against ISIS, adding diplomatic and local enforcement
support to military actions. Now beyond Syria, US strikes ordered
(08:55):
by President Trump earlier in twenty twenty five targeted ISIS
positions in some mid including air strikes that killed dozens
of fighters and eliminated key operational commanders, degrading the group's
leadership and recruitment capabilities, specifically in Somalia. These actions are
(09:15):
part of a continuous campaign, the White House says, to
prevent the resurgence of IIS, even after its territorial leaders
were defeated, showing long term commitment to global stability, and
this goes back to what the President promised. Strong deterrens
show that the US has a commitment to retaliate decisively
(09:37):
against any terrorist threat. The White House also said, this
proves that we are degrading the enemy's capabilities strikes that
disrupt ICE's infrastructure and limit the ability to well get
back together, to organize, and to attack. The White House
also said this precision and professionalism shown by the US
(09:59):
governm should also be a deterrent because the use of
advanced technology, advanced tactics, and coordination minimize risk to civilians
and they also maximize the impact of killing actual terrorists
and then the coalition cooperation which is so important. Marco Rubio,
the Secretary of State and others working around the clock
(10:21):
to make sure they had partner nations that we're willing
to work together on this. It strengthens our security efforts
as well in the Middle East. And finally, it is
about protecting our US forces. When you kill a man
or a woman in uniform under Donald Trump's watch, We're
gonna find you, We're gonna hunt you down, and we're
(10:43):
gonna kill you. It reinforces the Trump doctrine the US
personnel abroad will be defended by whatever means are necessary
by the commander in chief. At the end of the day,
it's very clear that the President of United States of
America meant what he said when he said it is
going to be a major response, and it will be
(11:05):
one that they will know not to mess with us again.
And that's exactly what the present's objective was. Quick Break
Ben Ferguson's show your phone calls one eight hundred four
seven four nine seven three two one eight hundred four
seven four nine seven three to two. Patreontmobile dot com
(11:26):
phone lines are open.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
Thank you for listening to the forty seven Morning Update
with Ben Ferguson. Please make sure you hit subscribe wherever
you're listening to this podcast right now and for more
in depth news, also subscribe to the Ben Ferguson Podcast,
and we will see you back here tomorrow
Host
Ben Ferguson
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