WASHINGTON – The recent incident involving Iran shooting down two American military aircraft marks an exceedingly rare assault, the first of its kind in over 20 years. This event underscores the Islamic Republic’s persistent capability to retaliate, even after assertions from former President Donald Trump that Iran has been “completely decimated.”
These attacks occurred just five weeks after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeted Iran, with Trump recently claiming that Tehran’s “ability to launch missiles and drones is dramatically curtailed.”
On Friday, Iran successfully shot down a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet, resulting in the rescue of one service member while efforts continue to locate a second. Additionally, Iranian state media reported that a U.S. A-10 attack aircraft crashed after being engaged by Iranian defense forces.
The last occasion a U.S. fighter jet was shot down in combat dates back to 2003, during the U.S. invasion of Iraq, when an A-10 Thunderbolt II was lost. Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, who has extensive experience as an F-16 fighter pilot, noted that this rarity is largely due to the nature of U.S. engagements primarily against insurgent groups lacking advanced anti-aircraft capabilities.
“The fact that this hasn’t happened until now is an absolute miracle,” Cantwell stated, highlighting the ongoing risks faced by U.S. aviators during combat missions. “We’re flying combat missions here; they are being shot at every day.”
Understanding the Attacks: Capability and Technology
Experts suggest that a shoulder-fired missile was likely employed in the recent downing of the F-15. U.S. Central Command reported that American forces have conducted over 13,000 missions in the Iran conflict, targeting more than 12,300 objectives.
Despite facing significant military pressure from U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, Iran continues to demonstrate its resolve through persistent attacks on Israel and Gulf Arab nations, contributing to regional instability and global economic turbulence.
Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Iran program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, emphasized the distinction between air superiority and air supremacy. “A disabled air defense system is not a destroyed air defense system,” he remarked, indicating that Iran’s military may still pose a threat despite apparent degradation.
American aircraft are currently operating at lower altitudes, increasing their vulnerability to Iranian missiles. Taleblu noted that while it is plausible that a surface-to-air missile was used against the F-15, a portable, shoulder-fired missile is more likely, reflecting Iran’s capacity to inflict damage despite being perceived as weakened.
“This is a regime that is fighting for its life,” he added, highlighting the tenacity of Iran’s military efforts.
Implications of Aircraft Losses
Mark Cancian, a retired Marine colonel and senior defense adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, concurred that the downing of the fighter jet was likely due to a shoulder-fired missile. He characterized the ongoing American air campaign against Iran as a “tremendous success” thus far.
For context, during World War II, American warplanes flying over Germany faced a loss rate of around 3%, which would equate to approximately 350 aircraft in the current U.S. operations against Iran. “However, the political landscape complicates matters,” Cancian noted, pointing out that the American public has grown accustomed to conflict with minimal casualties, rendering any loss unacceptable to a significant portion of the populace.
The Human Element: Training and Risks
The last U.S. military jet shot down in combat was an A-10 struck by an Iraqi missile over Baghdad in April 2003, with the pilot successfully rescued. In high-threat environments like Iran, pilots experience heightened alertness and increased blood pressure due to the threat of incoming missiles, which require different evasive maneuvers.
Training prepares pilots for ejection scenarios, emphasizing the importance of post-ejection assessments and communication protocols for rescue operations. The complexity of communication in hostile environments adds to the challenges faced by downed pilots.
It is crucial to note that the aircraft downed this week are not the first American crewed aircraft lost in Iran. A military helicopter and airplane were lost in 1980 during a failed rescue mission for American hostages in Tehran, resulting in tragedy.
Historically, helicopters have faced greater risks in conflict zones, evidenced by incidents such as the 2005 shooting down of a MH-47 Army Chinook in Afghanistan, which claimed 16 lives. This vulnerability is attributed to their lower flight profiles and slower speeds, factors that increase susceptibility to enemy fire.
Those involved in the recent rescue missions, likely conducted using helicopters, demonstrated remarkable bravery and commitment to their fellow service members.
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Bedayn reported from Denver.
