The United States reportedly lost or sustained damage to at least 42 aircraft during Operation Epic Fury, the military campaign launched against Iran on February 28, according to a report prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). The findings, based on publicly available reports and statements from the US Department of Defense and the US Central Command, highlighted the scale of equipment losses suffered during the conflict. The report has drawn attention amid continuing debate in Washington over the financial and strategic costs of the military operation.

According to the CRS report, the aircraft losses included several advanced combat and surveillance platforms used by the US military. Among the aircraft reportedly damaged or destroyed were four F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets, one F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter, and one A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack aircraft. The report also listed seven KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft, one E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control aircraft, and two MC-130J Commando II special operations aircraft among the losses recorded during the campaign.

The report further stated that the US military also lost one HH-60W Jolly Green II rescue helicopter along with a significant number of unmanned aerial systems. According to the assessment, 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones and one MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone were either destroyed or severely damaged during operations linked to the conflict. The CRS noted that the final number of losses could still change due to ongoing military assessments, classification restrictions, and the challenges of attributing damage during active combat situations.

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The Congressional Research Service, which provides policy and legal analysis to members of the US Congress and congressional committees, compiled the information using open-source intelligence, media reports, and official military statements. The organization clarified that the estimates remain subject to revision as additional operational details emerge. Analysts believe the losses reflect the increasing vulnerability of high-value military assets in modern warfare, particularly in regions with advanced missile and drone capabilities.

The financial burden of the conflict has also become a growing concern for US lawmakers. During a hearing before the House Appropriations subcommittee on May 12, Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules W Hurst III stated that the estimated cost of military operations related to Iran had risen to approximately USD 29 billion. He noted that a major portion of the revised estimate was linked to the repair and replacement costs associated with damaged military equipment and aircraft.

The revelations come amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and ongoing diplomatic discussions involving the United States and Iran. While US officials have continued to defend the operation as necessary for national security objectives, critics have questioned both the effectiveness and long-term implications of the campaign. The reported aircraft losses and mounting operational expenses are likely to intensify scrutiny within Congress as policymakers evaluate the broader consequences of the conflict and future American military engagement in the region.

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