Six US aircraft were destroyed in Iran during a covert operation to rescue an F-15E fighter jet's weapons systems officer, according to a Reuters report on 5/4. The lost assets included two MC-130J Commando II special operations transport aircraft and four helicopters, which US forces deliberately destroyed to prevent Iran from accessing sensitive military equipment.

The rescue mission was launched after an F-15E was reportedly shot down in Iran on 3/4. The clandestine operation, involving about 100 US special forces operatives, faced a critical setback when two MC-130J Commando II transport aircraft encountered technical issues at a makeshift airfield deep inside Iranian territory, rendering them unable to take off.

Scene of US aircraft burning in Iran on 5/4. Video: Tasnim

This unforeseen complication jeopardized the entire mission, leaving the special forces stranded after successfully extracting the F-15E weapons systems officer from a mountain over 2,000 meters high. A US official, speaking anonymously to Reuters, described the tense moments: "If there was a moment that made us exclaim 'oh my god', it was that moment," he said, commending commanders for their quick decision-making.

Commanders made the risky decision to deploy additional backup aircraft into Iran for a phased evacuation of personnel. This gamble paid off, ensuring the safe withdrawal of all US forces.

The destruction of six aircraft—the two damaged MC-130J transports and four helicopters—exceeded initial reports by the New York Times, which only mentioned two abandoned transport aircraft. Reuters did not specify why the helicopters were destroyed.

Images from the scene, released by Iranian media on 5/4, showed the wreckage of at least two AH/MH-6 Little Bird helicopters alongside an MC-130J. The Little Bird helicopters, valued at $2-7 million USD each, can fit inside an MC-130J's cargo bay, suggesting they were transported for the rescue. An MC-130J costs approximately $114 million USD.

Debris at the scene of US aircraft destroyed in Iran on 5/4. Photo: Tasnim

Tyler Rogoway, editor of War Zone, speculated that the emergency withdrawal, following the MC-130J malfunctions, likely left US forces without sufficient time or space to load the helicopters onto backup planes. He added, "It's also possible they were damaged during operations and abandoned."

While the Pentagon stated there were no fatalities in the rescue operation, the US military did suffer additional equipment losses. An A-10 attack aircraft was reportedly shot down by Iranian air defenses while providing support to the search team. Furthermore, two HH-60W Jolly Green II combat rescue helicopters were hit by Iranian fire, resulting in at least one injury, but they managed to land safely in allied territory. The extent of their damage remains unclear.

In contrast, the Iranian military claimed its forces shot down two helicopters and one C-130 transport aircraft involved in the US pilot search operation.

The Pentagon has yet to comment on these details.