US loses second combat aircraft in Middle East, NYT reports
On Friday, April 3, the United States lost two combat aircraft in the Persian Gulf and over Iran. Two US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incidents, The New York Times reports.
Two incidents in one day
The first incident involved an A-10 Warthog attack aircraft, which crashed near the Strait of Hormuz. The sole pilot on board was successfully rescued. The circumstances of the crash have not been disclosed.
At nearly the same time, an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet was shot down over Iran. The aircraft has a two-person crew. One crew member was rescued, while a search-and-rescue operation for the second pilot is ongoing.
What is known about the aircraft
The A-10 is a low-speed attack aircraft designed to support ground troops. Its maximum speed is around 700 km/h.
Photo: A-10 Warthog fighter jet (flightglobal.com)
Its primary weapon is the 30mm GAU-8 cannon, capable of firing up to 70 rounds per second. Thanks to its ability to remain over targets at low altitude for extended periods, the aircraft is effective against boats, armored vehicles, and fortifications.
A day earlier, the US Department of Defense decided to double the number of A-10 aircraft in the Middle East. An additional 18 planes were deployed to the region, joining about a dozen already there. Their total number reached 30. Officially, the A-10s are intended to support ground forces and patrol the Strait of Hormuz.
However, following the downing of the F-15E, media reports say Iran shot down a US helicopter that was flying to rescue the crew of the downed fighter jet. This marked another blow to US aviation in the region.
At the same time, according to Politico, the Pentagon is facing a critical situation: there are hardly any strategic targets left for strikes in Iran, yet President Donald Trump has ordered strikes to continue for another three weeks.
The US command now faces a choice between a humiliating retreat or a risky ground operation, as Iran continues to block the Strait of Hormuz and the global oil crisis persists.
