The US Congressional Research Service (CRS) has compiled data from media reports and official statements detailing U.S. aircraft combat losses during Operation Epic Fury (OEF) against Iran.
The details were shared on the US Congress official website, stating that on February 28, 2026, the United States, in coordination with Israel, initiated military operations against Iran under the designation Operation Epic Fury (OEF).
“The conflict has involved air, maritime, and missile combat engagements across the Middle East. The pace of combat activity declined amid a ceasefire in April. Within weeks, some strikes resumed, and conditions remain fluid,” read the official statement.
The US Department of Defense (DOD, which is “using a secondary Department of War designation,” under Executive Order 14347 dated September 5, 2025) has not published a comprehensive assessment of combat losses in OEF.
During a May 12, 2026, hearing, Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules W. Hurst III testified that the department’s cost estimate for US military operations in Iran has increased to $29 billion. “A lot of that increase comes from having a refined estimate on repair or replacement costs for equipment,” he said.
A list has also been published on the US Congress website, stating there are “42 fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft, including uncrewed aircraft (i.e., drones), reportedly lost or damaged in OEF, according to news reports and statements by DOD and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)”.
It added that the number of aircraft damaged or destroyed may remain subject to revision due to multiple factors, which may include classification, ongoing combat activity, and attribution.
Reports of US Aircraft Losses and Damage in Iran War
Four F-15E Strike Eagle fighter aircraft
On March 2, 2026, CENTCOM reported that three F-15Es were shot down and destroyed by friendly fire over Kuwait; all six aircrew ejected safely and were recovered.
On April 5, 2026, CENTCOM reported that one F-15E was shot down and destroyed during combat operations over Iran; both aircrew were safely recovered during separate search-and-rescue operations.
One F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft
A March 19, 2026, news article reported that Iranian ground fire damaged one F-35A during combat operations over Iran.
One A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack aircraft
In an April 6, 2026, news conference, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force General Dan Caine stated that on April 3, enemy fire struck one A-10 that subsequently crashed and was destroyed during search-and-rescue operations; the pilot ejected and was recovered safely.
Seven KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft
On March 12, 2026, CENTCOM reported that two KC-135s were involved in an incident over friendly airspace; one aircraft crashed in Iraq, resulting in the deaths of all six aircrew. The second KC-135 made an emergency landing at an undisclosed location in the region where U.S. forces are hosted.
A March 14, 2026, news article reported that five KC-135s were damaged while on the ground at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, during an Iranian missile and drone attack.
One E-3 Sentry airborne early warning-and-control system aircraft (AWACS)
A March 28, 2026, news article reported that one E-3 was struck and damaged while on the ground at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, during an Iranian missile and drone attack. A May 7, 2026, news article reported that the E-3 had been parked on an unprotected taxiway.
Two MC-130J Commando II special operations aircraft
An April 5, 2026, news article reported that two MC-130Js supporting search-and-rescue operations for a downed F-15E were intentionally destroyed on the ground in Iran after becoming unable to depart; all aircrew were safely evacuated.
One HH-60W Jolly Green II combat search-and-rescue helicopter
On April 6, 2026, General Caine said in a press conference that on April 5, one HH-60W sustained damage from small-arms fire supporting search-and-rescue operations for a downed F-15E in Iran.
Twenty-four MQ-9 Reaper medium-altitude long-endurance uncrewed aircraft
An April 9, 2026, news article reported that the U.S. military had lost 24 MQ-9 Reapers since the start of U.S. military operations against Iran.
One MQ-4C Triton high-altitude long-endurance uncrewed aircraft
An April 14, 2026, news article citing a U.S. Navy document reported that one MQ-4C crashed in a mishap.
With this documents, US Congress has been asked to assess assess whether or not it has sufficient information and time to evaluate the potential effects of aircraft losses in U.S. military operations and potential DOD plans or programs to develop or procure replacements
It highlighted that aircraft losses could generate unplanned costs for their replacement, repair, or sustainment. Congress may consider whether or not to approve, reject, or modify potential reprogramming actions or supplemental appropriations or to make adjustments to planned procurement and readiness accounts.
