US Military Aircraft Damaged in Iranian Strikes in Jordan
WASHINGTON: This week, Iranian missile strikes caused significant damage to several US military aircraft stationed at the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, according to a US official who spoke to Reuters.
Despite being the most funded military in the world, the US has faced challenges from Iranian attacks. Even before the recent strikes on Tuesday, over two dozen drones were destroyed, and numerous aircraft had already been lost due to accidents. A report from the Congressional Research Service released in May noted that 42 US military aircraft had been either lost or damaged since the conflict began.
The ongoing conflict, which started in February, has also resulted in tragic losses, with 18 US service members killed and over 800 injured. An anonymous US official reported that one A-10 Thunderbolt II, known as the Warthog, suffered significant damage, including a missing wing. However, around eight F-15 fighter jets experienced minor damage and have since been returned to operational status.
This attack from Iran followed US actions in which American forces reportedly destroyed five Iranian oil carriers. These strikes were said to be a response to incidents where the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted a US Navy warship with ballistic missiles on two separate occasions.
In response to the Iranian missile strike, US forces had to deploy approximately 30 Patriot interceptors to defend against the incoming threats. There’s growing unease about the state of US air defense systems, particularly regarding the number of interceptors available. While specific numbers are classified, research from the Center for Strategic and International Studies indicates that around 65% of US Patriot interceptors were used between February and July, leaving fewer than 850 in stock, down from about 2,330 at the start of the conflict.
