US Lost at Least 42 Aircraft in Iran Operation — CRS Report

The United States lost or damaged at least 42 aircraft during Operation Epic Fury against Iran.

This is outlined in an updated report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) prepared for the US Congress.

Operation Epic Fury began on February 28, 2026, with the participation of the United States and Israel and covered air, naval, and missile operations in the Middle East.

According to the document, US losses included four F-15E Strike Eagle fighters, one F-35A Lightning II fighter jet, and an A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft.

The US also lost or damaged seven KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, an E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control aircraft, two MC-130J Commando II special transport aircraft, and an HH-60W Jolly Green II rescue helicopter.

The unmanned component of US forces suffered the heaviest losses.

According to the report, the US lost 24 MQ-9 Reaper strike-and-reconnaissance drones, as well as one MQ-4C Triton strategic reconnaissance drone.

Some losses resulted from combat operations, while others were caused by friendly fire or technical incidents.

In particular, three F-15E aircraft were destroyed by friendly fire over Kuwait, and one KC-135 tanker crashed in Iraq after an incident in friendly airspace.

The CRS notes that the Pentagon has not yet released a full official summary of losses, but the cost of the operation has already reached $29 billion, a significant portion of which is linked to repairs or replacement of equipment.

The report’s authors say such losses could affect US combat readiness, particularly with limited platforms, and place additional strain on the US defense industrial base.

Iran recently showed wreckage of an F-15 fighter jet, although it claimed to have shot down a US F-35.