US destroys own MC-130s and MH-6 Little Birds in Iran rescue mission
April 6, 2026
The US has lost two MC-130Js, two MH-6 Little Birds, and one A-10C in its efforts to rescue the pilot and weapon systems officer (WSO) of a downed F-15E Eagle deep in Iranian territory. This took place as Iranian forces also hunted the WSO (a Colonel) and raced to capture him first.
It appears that four of these aircraft were destroyed by US forces to prevent capture, and the whole operation speaks to the professionalism and capability of the USAF. According to some reports, 76 aircraft took part in the operation.
US pulls of daunting rescue operation with aircraft losses
The United States has pulled off one of the most daring rescue operations in modern times. At once, the operation resembled that of the 2001 movie Black Hawk Down and the 2001 movie Behind Enemy Lines.
Reported images of the forward airbase in Iran used by US forces to successfully rescue the downed US F-15 WSO.
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) April 5, 2026
A pair of C-130s were destroyed before final departure after they became stuck. pic.twitter.com/AtSeUBM9pd
Like Black Hawk Down, the US lost more aircraft as it attempted to rescue downed servicemen, and like (the heavily dramatized) Behind Enemy Lines, the pilot had to evade a manhunt for days deep in enemy territory.
The circumstances of the F-15E Eagle going down over Iran remain unclear, although this could be the first shootdown of a manned US aircraft by Iran during the conflict. Iran previously managed to hit an F-35, but it returned to base. It also shot down MQ-9 Reaper drones and destroyed aircraft on the ground.
BREAKING: Watch the bravery of the U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II crew, now risking their lives by flying as low as possible over major cities in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, Iran, while searching for the crew of the downed F-15E Strike Eagle of the 494th Fighter… pic.twitter.com/Cw5G0IGQll
— Babak Taghvaee – The Crisis Watch (@BabakTaghvaee1) April 3, 2026
During the rescue mission, a US A-10C Warthog was also hit by enemy fire, but it managed to reach Kuwait territory before crashing. The pilot was rescued. A couple of HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters were also hit, but managed to return to base.
The operation took place just south of Isfahan, a major Iranian military region where its now-destroyed F-14 Tomcats were based.
Why the US destroyed its own C-130 transports
Images appear to show the US destroyed two MC-130J Commando II transports after they were stuck at a forward improvised airfield in Iran. They were destroyed in place as they were incapable of departure, and to avoid them falling into enemy hands.
⚡️⭕️ Photos from the C-130 wreckage in Iran pic.twitter.com/7xVdbNrAJL
— Middle East Observer (@ME_Observer_) April 5, 2026
The practice of destroying one’s own equipment to prevent it from falling into enemy hands dates back hundreds of years. According to US Army Special Operations veteran Jack Murphy, the MC-130s got stuck in the ground, and it was taking too long to dig them out.
The War Zone notes, “Destroying stranded special operations aircraft is absolutely critical as they are packed with sensitive sensors, communications, defensive systems and more.”
Some observers have noted how obliterated the F-15E wreckage is, with some suggesting the US carried out strikes on the wreck to prevent capture of sensitive systems. By contrast, the US doesn’t seem to care if MQ-9s fall into enemy hands.
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The US also destroyed two MH-6 Little Birds
Nestled among the MC-130 wreckage appear to be the wrecks of two MH-6 or AH-6 Little Birds assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (aka Night Stalkers).
⚡️⭕️ Footage from the wreckage of the US C-130 aircraft in Iran pic.twitter.com/ePzUepBLdV
— Middle East Observer (@ME_Observer_) April 5, 2026
It is unclear if these aircraft were to provide close air support or to help find and extract the WSO Officer. The MC-130s may have transported the Little Birds. They can be loaded onto a C-130, and then rolled off and be ready to fly in minutes.
Remember the pictures from Wyoming in 2023 when AFSOC deployed Little Birds from the back of MC-130Js for a ex? This reminds me of that. In the one photo you can clearly see the MR head of a MH-6 with the distinctive lead-lag dampers. https://t.co/M3tuRySYe7 pic.twitter.com/yUzBpOFUhT
— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) April 5, 2026
Jack Murphy said that there were four Little Birds. With the MC-130s stuck, the Air Force flew in a lighter CASA C-295W of the USAF’s 427th Special Operations Squadron.
It was only able to carry two of the Little Birds, and the other two Little Birds were destroyed in place.
Featured Image: Thenewarea51/X
