Downed Apache Marks At Least 43 U.S. Aircraft Damaged or Destroyed in Iran War

Two pilots rescued after helicopter was downed near the Strait of Hormuz.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 03:42 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

Boeing’s AH-64 Apache is one of the world’s most popular attack helicopters. [Credit: Boeing]

Key Takeaways:

An Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter was shot down by Iranian forces near the Strait of Hormuz, with both pilots safely rescued.
This incident is at least the 43rd U.S. military aircraft damaged or destroyed during "Operation Epic Fury" (the 2026 Iran war) since February, with some attributed to Iranian actions and others to unrelated causes.
Following the Apache shootdown, CENTCOM launched "self-defense" strikes against Iranian air defense, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran condemned the U.S. retaliatory strikes and claimed to have attacked U.S. bases responsible for them.

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An Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter is at least the 43rd U.S. military aircraft to be damaged or destroyed during Operation Epic Fury.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the helicopter, which had been flying near the hotly contested Strait of Hormuz, was shot down Monday by Iranian forces and that two pilots were “safe and uninjured.” U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Tuesday morning that the pilots were “safely rescued” around 7:30 p.m. EDT on Monday after the Apache “went down near the coast of Oman while patrolling regional waters.”