Iran’s downing of two US military aircraft marks the first time in more than 20 years that US warplanes have been shot down by enemy fire, underscoring Tehran’s continued ability to retaliate despite US President Donald Trump’s claims that the country is “totally destroyed.”
“These incidents come five weeks after the ongoing US-Israeli campaign against Iran. Earlier this week, Trump said that “Tehran’s ability to launch missiles and drones has been significantly reduced.” However, US officials confirmed that Iran shot down an F-15E Strike Eagle on Friday. One service member has been rescued, while searches continue for another. Iranian state media also reported that a US A-10 attack plane crashed after being hit by Iranian air defenses.
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The last confirmed case of a US fighter jet being shot down in combat dates back to 2003, when an A-10 Thunderbolt II was hit during the Iraq War. According to retired Air Force Brigadier General Houston Cantwell, the rarity of such incidents in recent decades is largely because American forces have often fought adversaries without advanced anti-aircraft systems.“The fact that this hasn’t happened yet is an absolute miracle,” Cantwell said.
“We fly combat missions here, and they get shot at every day.”
A shoulder-fired missile was likely used
US Central Command said that US forces have carried out more than 13,000 missions and struck more than 12,300 targets since the beginning of the Iranian conflict. Despite the ongoing bombardment, Iran has continued to launch attacks targeting Israel and the Arab Gulf states and contributing to regional instability.Behnam bin Taliblu said that the situation reflects the difference between weakening the opponent’s air defense capabilities and completely destroying them.
He said: “A disabled air defense system is not a destroyed air defense system.” “We should not be shocked that they are still fighting.”Taliblo added that American aircraft flying at low altitudes may have increased their exposure to danger. While a surface-to-air missile could have been used, he said it was more likely that a man-portable shoulder-launched system was responsible, describing Iran as “weak but still lethal.”“This is a regime fighting for its life,” he said.Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps colonel, agrees that a shoulder-fired missile would likely be used. Despite the losses, he described the broader US air campaign as a “tremendous success.”“But there is the political aspect, as the American public is accustomed to fighting bloodless wars,” Cancian said. “So a large part of the country does not support the war. So any loss for them is unacceptable,” he added.
Pilots are trained for high-risk scenarios
Military experts noted that American pilots are extensively trained for such situations.
In high-threat environments, pilots are trained to detect and evade infrared and radar-guided missiles. If an aircraft is hit, pilots follow strict post-jump protocols, including assessing injuries and relaying their position for rescue.However, the communication itself can be risky, as adversaries may attempt to intercept or manipulate signals.The last American plane to be shot down in combat was in April 2003 over Baghdad, from which the pilot safely escaped and was rescued.
Helicopters remain more vulnerable
While combat aircraft losses have been rare, other aircraft have historically faced greater risks. In 1980, a failed American hostage rescue mission in Tehran ended in disaster when two planes collided, killing eight people.Recently, helicopters have been particularly at risk due to their low speed and altitude. An incident in 2005 in Afghanistan saw a Chinook helicopter shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade, killing 16 soldiers.Slower, lower-flying aircraft are inherently more vulnerable, Cantwell noted, adding that recent rescue missions, which will likely involve helicopters, reflect greater risks.He added: “That is why those who went out on rescue missions this week did such a brave and honorable act.”