United States S-70/HH-60G/U/W/MH-60G Fleet Update
United States Air Force
| Date | April 3, 2026 |
| Country | United States |
| Force | United States Air Force |
| Conflict | 2026 Iran Conflict |
| Location | western Iran, near Isfahan |
| Aircraft | S-70/HH-60G/U/W/MH-60G (UH-60 Black Hawk) |
Description
Two U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II combat search-and-rescue helicopters were struck by Iranian small-arms fire and MANPADS during a rescue mission deep inside western Iran on April 3, 2026, while attempting to recover the crew of a downed F-15E Strike Eagle. Both helicopters sustained damage but returned to base; several crew members were wounded. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine publicly confirmed the helicopters came under fire during the mission. The Congressional Research Service report on Operation Epic Fury counted at least one HH-60W as damaged in the conflict. The rescue mission was described as the costliest in U.S. history.
