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While search and rescue efforts for at least one of the crew members of an apparently Lakenheath-based F-15E Strike Eagle that went down in unclear circumstances over Iran<\/a> on Friday Apr. 3, 2026, anonymous U.S. officials<\/a> have now revealed that an A-10 Thunderbolt II, commonly known as a Warthog, was also lost near the Strait of Hormuz around the same time. The single-seat A-10\u2019s pilot was, according to the reports, successfully rescued.<\/p>\n BREAKING: A second Air Force combat plane, a A-10 Warthog, crashed in the Persian Gulf region on Friday, and the lone pilot was safely rescued. This happened around the same time a F-15E was shot down over Iran. By @EricSchmittNYT<\/a> and @tylerpager<\/a>. https:\/\/t.co\/q369HMga3s<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/teOAek3M61<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Christiaan Triebert (@trbrtc) April 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Given the stated location of the incident, the A-10 was most likely taking part in regular patrols targeting Iran\u2019s fleet of small watercraft and drones that have essentially caused the Strait of Hormuz to be closed to almost all shipping traffic. We have reported on these missions previously<\/a>, highlighting the utility of the aircraft and its weaponry in this role further away from potential air defence threats. Images released of the A-10s have shown crew-applied artwork and nicknames<\/a> decorating the sides of the jets.\u00a0<\/p>\n Little further detail is currently known about the A-10 crash, including whether it was as a result of mechanical failure, or hostile action.<\/p>\n The U.S. are in the process of moving additional A-10s into the region via RAF Lakenheath<\/a> in the UK. Interestingly, while these aircraft have been transiting, the F-22 Raptors which had been deployed to Lakenheath presumably in anticipation for Middle East operations have in fact departed back towards the United States.\u00a0<\/p>\n Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawgs.<\/p>\n This is why I race to Lakenheath time and time again, you get some days that are complete gold and today was no exception. What a day. pic.twitter.com\/LmcqHUdaZb<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Alexander Clover (@Cloverkid92) April 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In addition to the F-15E and the A-10, there have also been unverified reports and images of a potential hit scored against a Black Hawk\/Pave Hawk helicopter involved in combat search and rescue (CSAR) operations.\u00a0<\/p>\n #BREAKING<\/a> I\u2019ve now confirmed the Blackhawk WAS hit by Iran. The crew is accounted for and is safe, a US official tells me. https:\/\/t.co\/HHOotvPlyI<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Carla Babb (@CarlaBNewsmax) April 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Elsewhere in the region, a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon was noted on flight tracking websites squawking the 7700 \u2018general emergency\u2019 code over Saudi Arabia, near the border with Iraq, at around 1500 UTC, and the same was also noted of a KC-135 Stratotanker over Israel at around 1840 UTC.\u00a0<\/p>\n #USAF<\/a> United States Air Force \u2013 General Emergency General Dynamics F-16CJ Fighting Falcon 1x#AE161D<\/a> 91-0361 \u2013 WARHAWK 01<\/p>\n A single U.S. Air Force F-16 is squawking 7700 \u201cGeneral Emergency\u201d along the border of Iraq and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n The tail number shown on @flightradar24<\/a>\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/WJm18o5iBN<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Armchair Admiral The reason for these emergency squawks is unknown, and they could represent anything from a minor mechanical issue or low fuel situation through to more serious problems \u2013 it should be noted that seeing these outside of an ongoing conflict is not particularly rare, but we have noted it due to the other incidents that have taken place today.<\/p>\n Operation Epic Fury\u2019s<\/a> intense operational tempo is sure to be pushing crews and their aircraft close to their limits, with aircraft flying many more flight hours than they would be in training, so an increased amount of mechanical issues and emergency squawks is not unexpected.\u00a0<\/p>\n Since our initial report, it has been confirmed that the A-10 was in fact struck by hostile fire while operating in support of the F-15E CSAR mission. The pilot managed to maneuver the damaged jet into Kuwaiti airspace before ejecting and abandoning the aircraft. Ejecting in friendly airspace undoubtedly simplified the necessary rescue effort.\u00a0<\/p>\n A U.S. official said that two Black Hawk helicopters<\/a> sustained hits from Iranian forces, but both were able to subsequently land safely in friendly territory.\u00a0<\/p>\n The pilot of the downed F-15E was successfully rescued by U.S. forces, but the weapon systems officer (WSO) \u2013 as it is currently understood \u2013 remains missing. It is reported that they initially made contact with U.S. forces through an encrypted radio.<\/p>\n The F-15E WSO survived the ejection and made contact. SAR still ongoing. Worth remembering that captain Scott O\u2019Grady evaded capture for five plus days in hostile territory after his F-16C shoot down in 1995. https:\/\/t.co\/bOuUnQhwTe<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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(@ArmchairAdml) April 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nUpdate: Apr. 4, 2026<\/h2>\n
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