Chicago – April 04, 2026
A U.S. A-10 Thunderbolt II was reportedly hit by Iranian air defenses, marking the second American combat aircraft to go down in the Middle East as tensions surged across the region. Iranian state media said its forces targeted the jet, while U.S. officials had not immediately confirmed the cause of the incident.
The report came after another U.S. warplane, an F-15E Strike Eagle, was shot down over Iran, with one crew member rescued and search efforts continuing for the second, according to people familiar with the matter and Associated Press reporting. The A-10’s pilot was also reported to have been rescued and was alive.
The incidents unfolded as Iran fired on targets across the Middle East, intensifying fears of a wider confrontation. Officials said details remained limited, and the Pentagon and White House had not issued immediate comments.
