F-15E downed in combat marks first fighter loss in over two decades

The downing of an F-15E fighter jet on April 3 marked the first time a fighter aircraft has been shot down in combat in more than two decades, according to retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, a former F-16 pilot.

Cantwell said the absence of such losses in recent conflicts largely reflects the nature of U.S. operations, which have typically involved engagements against insurgent groups lacking advanced air defence systems, Caliber.Az reports via American media.

He added that the limited number of aircraft losses in Iran demonstrates the effectiveness of U.S. forces.

According to the United States Central Command, American forces have conducted more than 13,000 missions in the Iran conflict and struck over 12,300 targets.

The last U.S. fighter jet to be shot down in combat was hit by an Iraqi surface-to-air missile over Baghdad on April 8, 2003. The pilot successfully ejected and was later rescued, the Air Force has said.

"The fact that this hasn't happened until now is an absolute miracle," said Cantwell, who completed four combat tours and now serves as a senior resident fellow at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. "We're flying combat missions here, they are being shot at every day."

By Aghakazim Guliyev