FACTBOX: US Military Aircraft Damage and Losses in Iran War

The American forces have seen multiple aircraft damaged in the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, including fighter jets, drones, refueling tankers and helicopters, in incidents ranging from combat losses to accidents and strikes across the region, according to US authorities and media reports. The conflict, now in its sixth week, has resulted in the most significant cluster of US aircraft losses reported in decades.

F-15E Strike Eagle Shot Down

An F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down by Iranian air defenses over Iran on Friday, with both crew ejecting safely and later recovered in separate rescue operations. The downing marked the first confirmed combat loss of a US fighter jet to Iranian air defenses since the conflict began.

A-10 Attack Aircraft Lost

The same day, an A-10 attack aircraft was also lost during operations over Iran, NBC News reported, citing US officials. The A-10 Thunderbolt II, known as the “Warthog,” is a specialized close air support aircraft that has been used extensively in the conflict.

Helicopter Losses During Rescue Mission

Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters were hit during rescue efforts linked to the incident, ABC News reported. During the rescue mission inside Iran, two MC-130J Commando II aircraft became stuck at a makeshift landing site and were later destroyed by US forces after all personnel were evacuated. Four MH-6 Little Bird helicopters were also destroyed at the same location to prevent capture.

Taken together, the downing of the F-15E and the subsequent rescue operation marked the most significant cluster of US aircraft losses reported during the conflict.

CH-47 Chinook Destroyed in Kuwait

Iranian state media released images on Saturday that it said showed a CH-47 Chinook helicopter destroyed in a drone strike at a base in Kuwait, capping a series of incidents that have seen US aircraft losses rise across the region.

E-3 Sentry Aircraft Damaged in Saudi Arabia

An Iranian strike on a Saudi air base on March 27 wounded more than a dozen US personnel and damaged two E-3 Sentry aircraft, NPR reported. Images circulating online indicated that one of the aircraft was effectively destroyed. The E-3 Sentry is an airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft critical for command and control operations.

FPV Drone Strikes in Baghdad

On March 23, the Iran-aligned Iraqi Islamic Resistance released footage appearing to show FPV drone strikes targeting an AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar and a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at Victory Base in Baghdad. The attacks demonstrated the ability of Iran-backed militias to strike US assets inside Iraq.

MQ-9 Reaper Losses

As of March 19, MQ-9 Reaper losses had reached at least 12, including nine drones shot down by Iranian defenses, one struck at an airfield in Jordan, and two lost in accidents, sources told Bloomberg. However, open-source investigative reports to date suggest the overall number of MQ-9 Reaper losses may be higher.

The MQ-9 Reaper is a long-endurance, unmanned aerial vehicle used for surveillance and precision strikes. Each drone is estimated to cost approximately $30 million.

F-35 Emergency Landing

On March 19, CNN reported, citing sources, that an F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at a US base in the Middle East after being hit by suspected Iranian fire during a combat mission over Iran, marking the first known combat damage to the aircraft. The F-35 is the US military’s most advanced stealth fighter.

KC-135 Refueling Aircraft Damaged

Five KC-135 refueling aircraft were damaged in an Iranian missile strike on a Saudi air base, the Wall Street Journal reported on March 14, citing US officials. An official said the planes were not destroyed and were being repaired, while US Central Command (CENTCOM) declined to comment.

Mid-Air Collision Over Iraq

On March 12, CENTCOM said a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed after a mid-air incident involving two aircraft over western Iraq. It said the incident was not caused by hostile or friendly fire, while the second aircraft landed safely, though US media reports and images indicated it was damaged.

Friendly Fire Incident Over Kuwait

Three F-15E fighter jets were shot down over Kuwait in a friendly fire incident on March 1, with all six crew members ejecting safely and later recovered, CENTCOM said. It said the jets were “mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses,” marking the first known US aircraft losses since the start of the war.

Summary of Losses

A Costly Air Campaign

The loss of multiple US aircraft—including advanced platforms like the F-35, F-15E, and E-3 Sentry—represents a significant cost to the US military. While the US has maintained air superiority throughout the conflict, the losses demonstrate that Iranian air defenses are capable of threatening even advanced US aircraft.

The friendly fire incident over Kuwait, which resulted in the loss of three F-15Es, highlights the challenges of operating in a congested airspace with multiple allied nations. The subsequent rescue mission, which resulted in the loss of additional aircraft, underscores the risks involved in operating inside Iranian territory.

The MQ-9 Reaper losses are particularly significant. Each drone costs approximately $30 million, and the loss of over 12 represents a financial cost of over $360 million. More importantly, the loss of surveillance and strike capabilities reduces the US military’s ability to monitor Iranian activity and conduct precision strikes.

As the conflict continues, the US military will need to balance the need for air power against the risk of further losses. The downing of an F-35—the US military’s most advanced fighter—would be a significant propaganda victory for Iran and a strategic setback for the US.

For now, the US continues to operate in Iranian airspace, but the cost of doing so is rising. The question is whether the military objectives justify the losses—and whether the American public will continue to support a war that is taking a toll on both personnel and equipment.