US Air Force stays in headlines as it extends A-10 service to 2030 amid Iran tensions and ongoing Middle East ops. The USAF is the U.S. military’s air arm, part of DoD.
Iranian SU-24 planes targeted al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar but were intercepted and downed by Qatari F-15 jets. The planes were reportedly carrying bombs. The incident occurred amid escalating regional tensions following Iranian retaliatory strikes after US-Israeli actions against Iran. All crew members ejected safely.
Since March 12, Iran has launched missile and drone attacks on Israel and regional targets, prompting extensive Israeli and US military strikes on Iran. The conflict has expanded with regional missile exchanges, targeting Iran's military infrastructure and leadership, amid ongoing regional tensions.
William Neil McCasland, 68, a retired US Air Force general linked to UFO research, disappeared from his Albuquerque home on February 28. Despite extensive searches involving FBI and local authorities, no clues have emerged. His disappearance coincides with increased government interest in UFO disclosures.
A shooting near a base shopette on Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico resulted in one civilian death and an injured service member. The base was placed on lockdown but has since reopened. Authorities are investigating the incident, which appears to be an isolated domestic dispute.
The US has deployed B-52 Stratofortresses to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, joining B-1 Lancers, as part of a buildup in response to Iran's retaliatory attacks in the Middle East. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed reservations about the use of UK bases for strikes, while the US emphasizes its military readiness.
On March 12, 2026, a US KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury. Six crew members were aboard; rescue efforts continue. The crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire. Another KC-135 involved landed safely in Israel. The incident is under investigation amid ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
On March 19, 2026, a US F-35 stealth fighter flying a combat mission over Iran made an emergency landing after reportedly being struck by Iranian fire. The pilot is stable, and the incident is under investigation. This marks the first time Iranian forces have hit a US aircraft since the conflict began. The event follows recent US military aircraft losses, including a KC-135 tanker crash in Iraq on March 12.
On March 14, 2026, US forces bombed military targets on Iran's Kharg Island, a critical oil export terminal handling 90% of Iran's crude exports. President Trump declared military targets destroyed but spared oil infrastructure, warning it could be targeted if Iran disrupts shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran vowed retaliation against US-linked oil facilities. The US is deploying 2,500 Marines and warships to the Gulf amid escalating conflict.
As of April 28, 2026, FCC Chair Brendan Carr has issued warnings to US broadcasters that they must "correct course" on coverage of the US-Israel war with Iran or risk losing their licenses. This follows President Trump's accusations on Truth Social that Western media outlets are spreading AI-generated falsehoods about the conflict. Critics have condemned Carr's threats as a risk to press freedom during a deeply unpopular war.
A US KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during a support mission against Iran, killing six service members. The incident occurred in friendly airspace, with no hostile fire involved. The victims include personnel from Alabama, Ohio, Indiana, and Washington, with investigations ongoing.
A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed over Iraq during a support mission, killing six crew members, including Major Alex Klinner. The aircraft was supporting operations against Iran, and the crash is under investigation. The incident highlights ongoing risks in military operations in the region.
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.