US Air Force in headlines for rescuing downed pilots in Iran and ongoing Middle East strikes/reach; born 1947 as the USAF, the air arm of DoD. Short, decisive power.
Iran has imposed tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, violating international maritime law and escalating tensions in the region. Despite a fragile US-Iran ceasefire, Iran controls passage through the strait via a permissions-based system, charging up to $2 million per vessel. The closure has disrupted global oil and fertilizer supplies, with hundreds of ships stranded and trade volumes down over 90%.
A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry aircraft was destroyed in a missile and drone attack on a Saudi air base on March 27. The loss reduces U.S. surveillance capacity in the region, raising concerns about military preparedness amid ongoing tensions with Iran. The attack injured several U.S. service members.
The US has suffered further military setbacks in Iran, with two warplanes shot down and a rescue operation underway. President Trump warns Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions and military actions intensify amid ongoing conflict and uncertainty about the war's end.
On April 3, 2026, Iran shot down a US F-15E fighter jet over southwestern Iran, marking the first US combat aircraft loss in the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran. One crew member was rescued after a frantic search-and-rescue operation, while the second remained missing. Iran called on civilians to capture the missing pilot, offering a $60,000 reward. A second US A-10 attack plane was also downed, with its pilot rescued. The incident escalates tensions as President Trump renews threats against Iran's infrastructure and demands the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.
A US Air Force colonel and pilot were shot down over Iran last week. The colonel ejected from his jet, survived injuries, and evaded enemy forces in the Zagros Mountains for a day and a half before rescue. Both are in stable condition, with ongoing rescue efforts.
President Trump announced the successful rescue of a US Air Force colonel after his F-15 was shot down over Iran. The operation involved deep-in-country special forces and was completed without US casualties. Iran reported destruction of US aircraft and casualties during the rescue. Tensions escalate as Trump threatens attacks on Iranian infrastructure.
An American airman has been rescued after his F-15E was shot down over Iran. He had spent more than a day in rugged Zagros terrain, signaling his survival with radio messages and coordinating with rescuers. A complex operation involved US forces, allied support, and diversion tactics to avoid Iranian capture.
US forces have conducted a complex rescue operation in Iran, retrieving two downed F-15E pilots after their aircraft was shot down. The rescue involved dozens of aircraft, deception tactics, and took place amid ongoing tensions with Iran. Both pilots are reported to be safe.
On April 6, 2026, President Trump has threatened to jail the journalist who first reported the rescue of a second US airman shot down over Iran, demanding the source reveal itself under national security grounds. The administration has launched an investigation to identify the leaker amid escalating tensions and media criticism.
The U.S. Air Force has announced it will extend the operational life of the A-10 Thunderbolt II until 2030. The decision aims to preserve combat power amid ongoing aircraft production efforts, despite longstanding debates over the aircraft's age and future replacement options. The A-10 has been active in Middle East operations against Iran-backed groups.
A building has collapsed in Angeles City, Pampanga province, during a thunderstorm. Officials say 21 to 30 workers remain unaccounted for as rescuers search the rubble. Several evacuees have been injured; others have escaped. Authorities are reviewing construction history to determine the cause.
Gold has trimmed losses after U.S. inflation data showed softer price pressures, but the metal remains under pressure as energy costs and a wary stance on rate rises weigh on demand. Copper and precious metals also move lower on the session.
A B-52 Stratofortress has crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base on Monday at about 11:20 a.m. local time. The aircraft burst into flames on impact; military officials have said the crash was not survivable and eight people on board have died. The jet was on a routine test flight supporting a radar modernisation programme; an investigation has opened and could take months.
An influenza outbreak has sickened more than 150 recruits at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, prompting a shift back to mandatory flu shots for trainees as officials investigate a trainee death and review vaccination policy.