Several media outlets reported on Friday (April 3) that a US A-10 “Warthog” attack aircraft was hit by Iranian fire while on a mission, but the pilot safely ejected.
According to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, the single-seat, twin-engine attack aircraft pilot successfully flew out of Iranian airspace after the plane was hit, and then ejected to safety.
In another report by CBS, two American officials stated that a US A-10 “Warthog” attack aircraft came under attack and sustained damage while on a mission to rescue a crew member of a US F-15E fighter jet. Earlier, US officials confirmed that an F-15E fighter jet was shot down over Iran with two crew members, one of whom was rescued.
CBS reported that the A-10 pilot ejected to safety over the Persian Gulf.
NBC reported that US officials said the A-10 entered Kuwaiti airspace, and after the pilot ejected to safety, the aircraft crashed. The pilot is safe.
US officials revealed that two US Black Hawk helicopters engaged in the rescue operation were also targeted by Iranian fire but the personnel on board were unharmed.
According to the Associated Press, an Israeli military officer familiar with the situation disclosed that Israel is assisting the US in the search and rescue operation for the crew member of the F-15E fighter jet.
As of now, the US Central Command has not issued any public statements regarding these events. The Central Command is responsible for the US military’s “Operation Epic Fury” against Iran.
Based on online data released by the Pentagon, as of Friday, a total of 365 US military personnel have been injured in operations against Iran, including 247 Army soldiers, 63 Navy sailors, 19 Marine Corps members, and 36 Air Force pilots. The current number of confirmed fatalities is 13.