365 Injured + Fighter Jets Shot Down, What Happened to the U.S. Military in This Battle?
U.S. Department of Defense: 365 U.S. military personnel injured in military operations against Iran
According to the latest data released by the U.S. Department of Defense on the 3rd, a total of 365 U.S. military personnel have been injured in military operations against Iran.
The data shows that among these injured, 247 are from the Army, 63 from the Navy, 19 from the Marine Corps, and 36 from the Air Force.
According to U.S. military statistics, the current death toll remains at 13, including 6 service members who died in Kuwait due to an Iranian attack, 1 service member who succumbed to injuries in Saudi Arabia, and 6 who died in a U.S. tanker crash incident.
Two U.S. aircraft shot down in one day, two helicopters hit
On the 3rd, Iran announced that it had shot down a U.S. fighter jet and an attack aircraft. The U.S. confirmed that one fighter pilot was rescued, and another pilot is being searched for. U.S. media reported that the attack aircraft had crashed, and its pilot was rescued; additionally, two U.S. helicopters involved in the rescue were hit by Iran, injuring crew members.
Earlier that day, a U.S. Air Force F-15E "Strike Eagle" two-seat fighter jet was shot down over Iran. According to Gulf state media, at least two HH-60 "Pave Hawk" rescue helicopters, one HC-130J "Combat King II" long-range rescue aircraft providing air refueling for the former, and one MQ-9 "Reaper" drone entered Iranian territory to conduct the rescue, locating and rescuing one pilot who ejected. The whereabouts of the other pilot remain unknown, and the search is ongoing.
Israeli public broadcaster reported that Israel provided intelligence to the U.S. to help locate the pilot, and the location where the fighter jet was shot down is in Khuzestan province, bordering Iraq in western Iran. The Israeli military suspended airstrikes in the relevant areas during this time.
According to CBS News, citing U.S. officials, including the helicopter carrying the rescued pilot, two helicopters were fired upon by Iranian ground light weapons on their return journey, resulting in several crew members sustaining minor injuries. Both helicopters ultimately landed safely.
The Iranian military stated that on the same day, Iranian air defense forces also shot down a U.S. A-10 "Warthog" attack aircraft near the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. media reported that this single-seat aircraft was hit while providing support for the aforementioned rescue operation, and the pilot managed to fly the damaged aircraft to Kuwaiti airspace, ejected, and the aircraft crashed.
Some U.S. media pointed out that the U.S. military lost two aircraft in one day, less than 48 hours after President Trump claimed in a nationwide televised address that the military operations against Iran had achieved a "rapid, decisive, and overwhelming victory."
In early March, three "Strike Eagle" fighter jets of the U.S. military crashed in Kuwait after being "accidentally shot down by friendly forces," with all six pilots surviving.
Reporters: Huang Qiang, Xu Jianmei, Pang Xinyi, Wang Zhuolun, Zhao Yining
On March 3, 2023, U.S. military operations against Iran resulted in 365 personnel injuries and 13 fatalities. Two aircraft, an F-15E and an A-10, were shot down, prompting ongoing search and rescue efforts for the missing pilots. U.S. helicopters involved in the rescue were also targeted, leading to additional injuries among the crew.
- 365 U.S. personnel injured in military operations against Iran.
- 13 fatalities reported, including 6 from an Iranian attack in Kuwait.
- Two U.S. aircraft shot down, including an F-15E and an A-10.
- Search and rescue operations ongoing for missing pilots.
- U.S. helicopters involved in rescue were also targeted, resulting in injuries.