On The Radar: Iran Update, What Operation Epic Fury is Costing Taxpayers & DHS Shutdown

Here's what's on the radar in military life this week. Tensions remain high across the Middle East as the conflict involving Iran continues to evolve. Recent strikes targeting oil tankers near Iraq's southern port of Basra have raised concerns about regional shipping lanes and global energy markets. Iranian officials have also outlined conditions they say would need to be met before peace talks could begin. For the U.S. military, that could mean increased naval and air presence in the region. And for military families, the possibility of extended deployments and continued uncertainty as the situation develops. We are getting more clarity on what Operation Epic Fury is costing U.S. taxpayers. Pentagon officials told Congress the first six days of the operations against Iran cost more than $11 billion, driven largely by the use of high-end precision munitions and missile defense systems. Lawmakers say the price tag will likely continue rising as the campaign continues. As of Thursday afternoon, Coast Guard members didn't know whether or not they would receive mid-month pay due to the DHS shutdown. Service members did receive paychecks at the end of last month because of funding provided by last year's tax and spending legislation. The U.S. Coast Guard website has not been updated since February 17th due to the lapse in funding, and emails and calls to Coast Guard Public Affairs went unanswered. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard Foundation website currently lists resources and support to help bridge the gap if paychecks are delayed. And finally, over on Veteran Life, a little levity. Barbie recently celebrated her 67th birthday, and she spent a decent amount of time in uniform. Mattel released Barbie dolls representing the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps in the early 1990s, giving military kids a chance to see their world reflected right there on the playroom floor. The Coast Guard never got its own Barbie, but if the internet has anything to say about it, that might be the next mission. That's your briefing. Make sure to follow along so you never miss What's on the Radar.