This speaks to a more general problem I’m having following this war: struggling to find actual factual reports from what’s happening.

Between Trump’s unhinged tweets and Hegseth’s bloodthirsty machismo, trying to get anything from the US is like talking to a bucket.

Edit: I was thinking about the C-130 and it’s role in this based on the article. It is technically possible to perform an extraction with such an aircraft with the Cold War era CIA Fulton STARS “Skyhook” device, you might remember it from a scene in The Dark Knight when Batman exfils someone quickly from a building. A balloon is sent up and the C-130 grabs it, along with whoever is attached to it.

I don’t think this is likely because the downed pilot would have to have such a system ready to go (unlikely if you’re downed from another plane), a balloon would be a giant “here I am” to the Iranians searching for him, and the timing and execution would need to be precise and flawless. And if it happened, no doubt it would be reported on by someone, somewhere.

US should get very used to failure. Their country is the epitome of a failed state. Can’t wait until it falls apart like the USSR did in 1991.

Those are some staggering losses if true. It completely tears away their claim they destroyed all air defence and the military.

I’m a boy shocked there aren’t casualties being claimed. I don’t think I believe they got stuck in mud, just like a lot of the ogre engine trouble claims.

But the US can’t really be open about these losses of it confirms to Iran which strategies are working.

boots on the ground filled with US soldiers from their toes on up