Congressional report details losses from Operation Epic Fury

Operation Epic Fury, a 40-day aerial campaign conducted by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, took place between February 28 and early April 2026. A May 13, 2026, report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) confirmed that 42 U.S. aircraft were lost or damaged, resulting in an estimated financial loss of 2.6 billion dollars. The losses include 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones, four F-15E Strike Eagles, one F-35A Lightning II, one A-10 Thunderbolt II, seven KC-135 Stratotankers, one E-3 Sentry, two MC-130J Commando IIs, one HH-60W Jolly Green II, and one MQ-4C Triton. Conflicting reports exist regarding the fate of the F-15Es, with one source stating three were destroyed by Kuwaiti air defenses in a friendly fire incident on March 1, while other details focus on Iranian defense capabilities. Two MC-130J aircraft were lost during a high-profile rescue mission in Isfahan province, which involved 155 aircraft. The report highlights vulnerabilities in drone operations and critical gaps in air surveillance and aerial refueling capabilities following these losses.