The pilot of a U.S. Air Force F-35 is in “stable condition” after the fighter jet made an “emergency landing” at an American airbase in the Middle East due to suspected Iranian fire, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins told FLYING.
Two sources told CNN, which first reported the incident Thursday, that Iran was responsible for the strike, which occurred as the F-35 was “flying a combat mission over Iran,” Hawkins said. He said the aircraft landed safely and that CENTCOM is investigating.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) took credit for the attack, which if confirmed would be its first successful strike on an American or Israeli aircraft since conflict in the Middle East escalated in late February.
A U.S. KC-135 Stratotanker crashed last week in western Iraq, killing all six occupants, but CENTCOM said the incident was not due to “hostile fire or friendly fire.” Earlier in March, CENTCOM said three Air Force F-15Es were “mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses,” and all six crewmembers were recovered safely.
Both the U.S. and Israel fly F-35s, which cost north of $100 million. The Air Force has deployed F-35As, and the Marine Corps is supplying F-35Cs that can operate from aircraft carriers. Per the Times of Israel, an Israeli fighter was “almost shot down” earlier in the conflict.
CENTCOM has deployed B-2 bombers, MQ-9 Reapers, EA-18G, A-10Cs, F-16s, F-18s, F-22s, and many other combat aircraft to the region around Iran. The offensive is being supported by Boeing RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft, refueling tankers, C-17 Globemaster IIIs, Lockheed C-130 military transport airplanes, P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, and early warning and control aircraft.
To counter enemy systems, American forces are using MIM-104 Patriot interceptors, THAAD anti-ballistic missile systems, M142 HIMARS, guided-missile destroyers, and aircraft carriers.
Iran’s Air Defenses
The IRGC on Thursday reportedly released a video purporting to depict the strike, which it claimed “severely damaged” the aircraft.
Per analysis from The War Zone and Air & Space Forces Magazine, the video—which has not been independently verified as of Thursday afternoon—appears to depict the use of a passive infrared sensor, which can be tricky for normally stealthy aircraft to detect and avoid. These systems were used by the Houthis to successfully challenge U.S. aircraft, including F-35s, in Yemen last year.
Though the U.S. and Israel have inflicted substantial damage to Iran’s fixed air defenses, the IRGC maintains a variety of mobile and clandestine air defense systems, per The War Zone.
Earlier this month, top American and Israeli officials, including U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, claimed Western forces had achieved air superiority in Iran.
