The U.S. military has lost at least 16 aircraft since the start of the war with Iran on February 28, 2026, including fighters, tankers, and drones. The latest incident involved an F-35 Lightning II fighter jet that made an emergency landing yesterday after a combat mission over Iran, with Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps claiming responsibility.

U.S. Central Command confirmed the F-35 landed safely at a regional airbase, and the pilot is in stable condition, though the cause remains under investigation. A CENTCOM spokesperson told reporters the aircraft was flying in support of Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.-led air campaign targeting Iranian missile sites, naval assets, and defense infrastructure.

Earlier losses include three F-15E Strike Eagles shot down over Kuwait on March 2 by friendly fire from Kuwaiti air defenses during intense combat operations; all six crew members ejected safely and were recovered. On March 12, a KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq during a refueling mission, killing all six crew members in what the Pentagon described as a non-hostile incident. Five other KC-135s sustained damage from an Iranian missile strike at a Saudi airfield.

Drones have borne the brunt of losses, with at least 10 MQ-9 Reapers destroyed, nine downed by Iranian defenses in flight, and one struck by a ballistic missile at a Jordanian airfield, plus two lost to accidents. The Pentagon has declined to provide an official tally of battle damage assessments.

The war erupted with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and top officials, prompting Iranian missile and drone barrages under Operation True Promise IV on bases across the Gulf. U.S. forces have struck over 7,000 targets, destroying about 60% of Iran's missile launchers and much of its navy, according to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Iranian attacks have declined by roughly 90%, Hegseth said in a recent briefing.

At least 13 U.S. servicemembers have died, including the six from the tanker crash, with around 200 wounded. President Donald Trump stated the U.S. is not deploying ground troops, emphasizing air and naval dominance from carriers like the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford.

Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, driving oil prices above $114 per barrel and disrupting global energy supplies. Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine noted the U.S. holds only localized air superiority, as high-tempo operations continue without a set end date.