The United States military lost or sustained damage to at least 42 aircraft during the recent conflict with Iran, due to both friendly fire incidents and enemy action, according to a Congressional Research Service (CRS) analysis.
The report, which compiled official statements and media accounts, has intensified scrutiny in the US Congress as lawmakers seek clearer answers from the Pentagon on the cost, timeline and operational outcomes of “Operation Epic Fury.”
Among the aircraft affected were some of the US military’s most advanced and expensive platforms. These include one F-35A Lightning II valued at about $110 million, four F-15 Strike Eagles worth approximately $300 million in total, and 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones collectively valued at around $720 million.
Pentagon acting comptroller Jules Hurst told Congress that the overall cost of operations linked to the Iran campaign has reached roughly $29 billion. That figure includes repair and replacement of damaged equipment, though it does not account for damage to US bases in the Middle East that were hit during retaliatory strikes.
The CRS report also detailed multiple losses during combat and support operations, including aircraft shot down, destroyed on the ground, or damaged during missions. These include an F-15E downed over Iran, an A-10 Thunderbolt II, and two MC-130J Commando II aircraft destroyed during ground operations.
Other reported incidents include damage to an HH-60W rescue helicopter from small-arms fire, as well as a KC-135 tanker crash that killed six crew members. Additional tankers, drones, and surveillance aircraft were also damaged in attacks or operational mishaps across bases in the region.
US Central Command has disputed early assessments about the causes of some incidents, while ongoing investigations are expected to determine whether certain losses were avoidable mishaps in congested airspace.
