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 helicopter was shot down by Iranian forces near the Strait of Hormuz, bringing the total U.S. military aircraft damaged or destroyed in Operation Epic Fury to at least 43.
The two Apache pilots were safely rescued by U.S. forces, utilizing a Navy surface sea drone.
In response to the Apache shootdown, the U.S. launched "self-defense" strikes against Iranian air defense, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran condemned the retaliatory U.S. 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.”