Congressional report says 42 U.S. aircraft lost or damaged in Iran conflict

At least 42 U.S. military aircraft have been lost or damaged during the ongoing conflict with Iran, according to a recent report by the Congressional Research Service. The analysis, which compiled information from news reports and official statements from the Department of Defense and U.S. Central Command, details losses that include fighter jets, aerial refueling tankers, and drones.

The report, dated May 13, lists specific aircraft affected. These include four F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets, one F-35A Lightning II, one A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack aircraft, seven KC-135 Stratotanker refueling planes, one E-3 Sentry surveillance aircraft, two MC-130J Commando II special operations planes, and one HH-60W Jolly Green II combat search-and-rescue helicopter. The tally also includes 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones and one MQ-4C Triton drone. The Congressional Research Service cautioned that the figures remain subject to revision due to classification, ongoing combat activity, and military review.

The conflict began on February 28 with joint American-Israeli strikes against Iran. During the hostilities, Iranian forces retaliated against U.S. military bases in the region and targeted...