US$2 Billion Burned in Iran: America Saves Two F-15E Airmen But Loses Aircraft in Its Costliest Rescue Mission Ever

Defence affairs - Def-Geopolitics

After an F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down deep inside Iran, the United States launched a massive combat search-and-rescue operation that successfully recovered both airmen—but only after losing HC-130J rescue aircraft, helicopters, drones and an A-10 in what may be the costliest CSAR mission in modern history.

The rescue of two American airmen from inside Iran succeeded, but only after the United States suffered what may become the most expensive combat search-and-rescue mission in modern military history.

What began as an emergency effort to recover the pilot and weapons systems officer of a downed F-15E Strike Eagle rapidly evolved into a sprawling, multi-day operation involving elite special operations forces, tanker aircraft, combat rescue helicopters, drones, close-air-support aircraft and long-range strike assets.

By the end of the mission, the United States had lost an F-15E Strike Eagle, at least two HC-130J Combat King II rescue aircraft, an MH-6 Little Bird helicopter (possibly two), one A-10 Thunderbolt II and possibly multiple MQ-9 Reaper drones, while two HH-60 rescue helicopters were damaged and several other aircraft reportedly declared emergencies.

The overall financial cost of the operation remains disputed, but analysts and military observers now believe the total may ultimately exceed US$2 billion once the destroyed aircraft, emergency deployments, precision munitions, support assets and longer-term operational consequences are taken into account.

Even more damaging than the financial cost is the strategic message that emerged from the operation.

For weeks, Washington had insisted that American and Israeli forces had achieved near-total air superiority over Iran during Operation Epic Fury.

The loss of an F-15E deep inside Iranian territory, followed by the destruction of multiple American rescue aircraft stranded in Iran, has instead raised serious questions about the survivability of U.S. airpower in a highly contested environment.