F-35 Lightning II

Conflict Usage

United States-Iran Conflict

Side: United States

U.S. Air Force F-35As from the 388th Fighter Wing escorted B-2 bombers into Iranian airspace, suppressed air defenses, and guarded the exit during Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2025.

War in Afghanistan

Side: U.S.-led coalition and Afghan government

U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs from VMFA-211 conducted the type's first U.S. combat strike on September 27, 2018, supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel ground clearance operations in Afghanistan.

Israel-Iran Conflict

Side: Israel

The IDF reported that an Israeli Air Force F-35I Adir shot down an Iranian Yak-130 over Iranian skies during the 2026 Iran-Israel war.

F-35 Lightning II Images

Related Weapon Systems

Aircraft & UAVsF-35C Lightning IICarrier-based stealth multirole fighterThe F-35C Lightning II is the carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, built for catapult launches and arrested landings with larger wings, folding wingtips, strengthened landing gear, internal fuel for long-range carrier operations, and a sensor suite intended for strike, air-to-air, reconnaissance, and electronic-warfare missions. U.S. Marine Corps F-35Cs made the variant's first documented combat strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in 2024, and an F-35C was later reported shooting down an Iranian Shahed-139 drone near USS Abraham Lincoln in 2026.

Aircraft & UAVsF-16 Fighting FalconMultirole fighter aircraftThe F-16 Fighting Falcon is a U.S.-designed single-engine multirole fighter used for air defense, air-to-air combat, suppression support, and precision strike missions. Its recent conflict record includes Ukrainian operation of Western-supplied aircraft in the Russia-Ukraine War, Israeli F-16I strike sorties during Operation Rising Lion, and U.S. F-16 employment in Operation Epic Fury against Iran.

Aircraft & UAVsMQ-9 ReaperMedium-altitude long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicleThe MQ-9 Reaper is a General Atomics medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft built for persistent intelligence collection and precision strike. Larger and more powerful than the MQ-1 Predator, it combines satellite control, electro-optical and infrared sensors, laser designation, and weapons such as Hellfire missiles and guided bombs, making it a recurring U.S. and coalition platform in counterterrorism, maritime-security, and regional-strike operations.

Aircraft & UAVsB-2 SpiritLow-observable strategic heavy bomberThe B-2 Spirit is a U.S. Air Force low-observable strategic heavy bomber built by Northrop Grumman for long-range conventional and nuclear strike. Its flying-wing design, intercontinental range, and ability to carry heavy precision weapons make it a specialized option for defended or deeply buried targets, with directly documented recent combat use against ISIS camps in Libya, Houthi weapons sites in Yemen, and Iranian military and nuclear targets.

Aircraft & UAVsEA-18G GrowlerCarrier-capable airborne electronic attack aircraftThe EA-18G Growler is a Boeing-built electronic attack derivative of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet, fielded to jam, detect, and attack hostile radars, communications, and air-defense networks while retaining missile carriage for suppression missions. U.S. Navy and Australian Growlers provide carrier or land-based electronic warfare support, with recent documented use in Operation Inherent Resolve, Red Sea operations against Houthi forces, and the U.S.-Iran strike context.

Aircraft & UAVsF-15E Strike EagleDual-role strike fighterThe F-15E Strike Eagle is a two-seat U.S. Air Force dual-role fighter built for long-range interdiction, precision attack, and self-escorted air-to-air combat. Its conformal fuel tanks, targeting/navigation pods, radar, and two-person cockpit allow it to strike ground targets day or night while retaining fighter performance, a role documented in Operation Inherent Resolve and later U.S.-Iran combat operations.

Sources