U.S. Lost 42 Aircraft During Iran Operation ‘Epic Fury’: CRS Report

Darwin, 21 May : The United States reportedly lost at least 42 aircraft during its military campaign against Iran, codenamed Operation Epic Fury, according to a recent report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS).

The destroyed aircraft reportedly included fighter jets, drones, aerial refueling tankers, surveillance aircraft and rescue helicopters, making it one of the most significant reported U.S. aviation losses in recent years.

According to the CRS report, reviewed and analyzed from a published list of destroyed assets, the losses included four F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets, one F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter, one A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft, seven KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft, one E-3 Sentry surveillance plane, two MC-130J Commando II aircraft, one HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter, 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones and one MQ-4C Triton drone.

The total estimated value of the destroyed aircraft is reported to be around $29 billion.

The military operation, launched by the United States Central Command on February 28, reportedly lasted for about 40 days before a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was declared on April 8.

According to the report, Washington’s main objectives in the operation were to topple Iran’s Islamic government and seize an estimated 400 kilograms of enriched uranium allegedly held by Tehran.

The report also claimed that on the first day of the conflict, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several family members were killed, while a number of senior Iranian military and government officials reportedly died during the following weeks of fighting.

However, the operation allegedly failed to achieve its key objectives, as Iran’s government remained in power and U.S. authorities were unable to locate the reported uranium stockpile.

The CRS report is seen as significant because members of the United States Congress had repeatedly requested details from the Pentagon regarding the war’s cost and damage since the conflict began, but no official assessment had been publicly released.
Source: Gulf News