US aviation has suffered significant losses in the Middle East. Hostile fire downed an F-15E fighter jet over Iran, while an A-10 Warthog attack aircraft crashed near the Strait of Hormuz. A massive rescue operation is currently unfolding on Iranian territory.
As reported by Hvylya, details of the incidents were provided by Axios and The New York Times.
The two-person crew of the F-15E downed over Iran successfully ejected. American special forces have already located and safely extracted one of the service members. The search for the second crew member continues under highly challenging conditions.
Iranian authorities are also actively searching for the American pilot. State television urged local residents to join the manhunt, promising a government reward for his capture. Due to the unfolding situation, Israel temporarily suspended planned strikes on Iran to avoid interfering with the rescue mission and provided the US with crucial intelligence.
This marks the first time during the current conflict that hostile fire has downed a US aircraft. Previously, the US had lost three such fighter jets solely to "friendly fire." The incident occurred despite recent claims by US President Donald Trump that Iranian radars were "100% destroyed" and the country lacked air defense capabilities.
Almost simultaneously, the US lost another combat aircraft. According to American officials, an A-10 Warthog crashed near the Strait of Hormuz, though the pilot managed to survive.