Another US Air Force fighter jet crashed on Friday, April 3, in the Persian Gulf region.
According to The New York Times, with information reproduced by the Military Times, the plane was an A-10 Warthog that crashed near the Strait of Hormuz, and the pilot, the only one on board, was rescued to safety. The incident happened almost at the same time as an F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran.
In the case of the F-15E, one of the two crew members was rescued alive, while the search for the other military continued. Reuters and The Washington Post reported that the fighter jet was hit by enemy fire during combat operations, making the rescue mission one of the most sensitive moments of the current US air campaign in the region.
The exact circumstances surrounding the A-10 crash have not yet been officially detailed. Initial reports partially disagree on the exact location of the incident: Military Times placed it near the Strait of Hormuz, while Reuters and The Washington Post reported that the plane was hit and that the pilot managed to eject after reaching Kuwaiti airspace. So far, neither the Pentagon nor US Central Command has given a full public explanation of the cause of the incident.
. Photo: USAF
Known by the nickname Warthog is A-10C Thunderbolt II a single-seat attack aircraft developed specifically for close support of ground forces. According to the US Air Force, the aircraft is designed to operate at low altitude and low speed, remain above the combat area for long periods and withstand damage, with titanium armor protecting the pilot and vital systems. The model is also equipped with the rotating GAU-8/A 30mm cannon, one of its hallmarks, and can use various types of guided and unguided weapons.
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Source and images: The New York Times, via Military Times, The Washington Post, US Central Command Instagram @uscentcom, USAF. This content was created with the help of KI and reviewed by the editors.
