The U.S. military has suffered its first combat loss of an aircraft in 23 years, sparking concern after an F-15E was shot down.

U.S. military suffers aircraft loss in combat for the first time in 23 years

Retired U.S. Air Force General Cantwell said the F-15E fighter jet shot down on April 3 is the first American fighter lost in combat in over 20 years.

He noted that this is largely because the United States previously fought mainly against insurgent groups lacking comparable air defense systems. Cantwell pointed out that Iran did not shoot down more U.S. fighter jets, which demonstrates the strength of the U.S. military.

The U.S. Central Command stated on April 2 that during the war against Iraq, U.S. forces have completed over 13,000 combat sorties, striking more than 12,300 targets.

The last time an American fighter was shot down in combat was on April 8, 2003, during the invasion of Iraq, when a fighter was hit by an Iraqi air defense missile above Baghdad.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861540647247872/

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