Khaberni - The news of targeting the American fighters in Iranian airspace has become the talk of the globe since Friday morning, following successive news about the downfall of two planes and the targeting of two helicopters, amid a flood of American and Iranian news and statements.
Friday began with the announcement by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard that Tehran's air defenses had managed to hit and bring down an American "F-35" fighter jet, which was later revealed to be an "F-15" type, and amidst talk about the fate of its crew, other news came in about the downing of an "A-10 Warthog" attack plane, then the injury of American soldiers in an Iranian targeting of two "Black Hawk" helicopters during the mission to search for the crew of the first fighter.
Downing of F-15 Fighter
Hours after the announcement of the Revolutionary Guard and confirmation by the American press -citing officials and informed sources- The American military acknowledged the downing of the F-15 fighter with a short message reviewed by the Associated Press.
The American press confirmed that the American military was able to find one of the pilots whom Iran had downed their plane, in the aftermath of the announcement of an American operation to search for them, while the fate of the second pilot remains unknown.
The Wall Street Journal -citing an American official- reported that an American "F-15E Eagle" was shot down over Iran, noting that "the aircraft had a two-person crew, and their condition is still unclear."
Furthermore, Air & Space Forces Magazine -citing informed sources- stated that the plane downed by Iran was an "F-15E" belonging to the US Air Force, confirmed by the open data platform OSINT Technical in an analysis of an image published by the Iranian media.
At the time, the Iranian authorities announced a financial reward for anyone who could capture the American pilot or pilots, according to Iranian TV.
The Iranian TV reporter said, "Dear and honorable folks in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province (in southwestern Iran), if you capture the enemy's pilot or pilots and deliver them to the police or military forces, you will receive a valuable reward.".
The "F-15" is an American fighter jet, multi-role and all-weather, classified as an air supremacy aircraft, and it is an intercepting bomber.
Targeting Black Hawk Helicopters
The Washington Post reported according to American officials that soldiers were injured on two "Black Hawk" helicopters that came under Iranian fire during the search and rescue operation after the crash of the "F-15" fighter. The officials added that the helicopters returned safely to their base.
Earlier, Newsmax reported that an American Black Hawk helicopter was hit by Iranian fire.
Newsmax did not provide further details regarding the location and nature of the targeting.
The "Black Hawk" is the main attack helicopter for the American Army in particular, and global military aviation in general, serving not only a military role but also in evacuating wounded soldiers and delivering medical aid.
The "Black Hawk" is designed to carry 11 soldiers in addition to 3 crew members, and it can transport a howitzer cannon with 30 shells; it is manufactured by Sikorsky Corporation, officially started manufacturing in 1976, and entered into service in 1978, named after the American military leader Black Hawk.
The "A-10" Attack Aircraft
The consecutive strikes on command and American fighters did not cease, as the New York Times confirmed the crash of another combat aircraft belonging to the US Air Force in the Gulf region, while Iran claimed its downing.
The newspaper reported according to officials that an "A-10 Warthog" attack aircraft crashed near the Strait of Hormuz, confirming the pilot's survival and rescue.
The officials only provided sparse details about the circumstances of the crash or its precise location.
The Wall Street Journal quoted sources as saying that the aircraft did not crash inside Iranian territory.
For its part, Iranian television announced that Tehran's air defenses targeted an "A-10" aircraft "of the American Zionist aggressor" above southern waters of the country around the Strait of Hormuz on Friday evening.
Iranian TV stated that it would announce more additional information later.
The "A-10" Warthog is an American attack aircraft specifically designed to provide close air support for ground forces, destroying tanks, armored targets, and ground enemy targets, and it has a cockpit accommodating only one pilot.
