A United States Air Force Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II was damaged by Iranian fire on Friday, marking the second reported incident involving a U.S. military aircraft in the region within hours.
According to U.S. defence officials, the aircraft was struck while operating in or near Iranian airspace. Despite sustaining damage, the pilot managed to continue flying the aircraft toward friendly territory.
The pilot later ejected after reaching airspace near Kuwait and was subsequently recovered by U.S. forces. Officials confirmed the pilot survived the incident, though no further details on their condition have been released.
The A-10, commonly referred to as the “Warthog,” is a close air support aircraft designed for operations in high-threat environments. Its ability to absorb significant damage is considered one of its defining characteristics.
This incident comes shortly after reports emerged of a Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle being shot down over Iran earlier the same day. In that case, one crew member was rescued, while search operations remain ongoing for a second individual.
U.S. officials have not disclosed the exact type of weapon system used in either incident. However, early assessments suggest the aircraft may have been targeted by ground-based air defence systems.
The Pentagon has not yet issued a detailed public statement regarding the incidents, and operational details remain limited.