Middle East Defence & Security

[MARKMILES77]

Reports the planes that flew in to rescue the Americans on the ground, after the MC-130s got bogged, were Airbus C-295s.
I have never heard of the US operating any of these.
May be a case of mistaken identity as the US does operate CN-235s in small numbers and they look very similiar.
Presumably chosen as they are much lighter than the MC-130s and less likely to get bogged.

https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/2040732001695641950

 

[KipPotapych]

The War Zone stating there appears to be the wreckage of two Little Birds, either MH-6s or AH-6s at the crash site.

Night Stalker AH-6 Little Bird Helicopters Destroyed At Forward Landing Site In Iran

At least one burned-out AH/MH-6 Little Bird can be seen in photos of the austere airfield that served as a hub for the rescue of the F-15E WSO.

www.twz.com

View attachment 54642
So likely tally of aircraft lossed/damaged in this rescue are.
Two MC-130Js destroyed.
Two AH-6s/Mh-6s destroyed.
One A-10 shot down.
Two HH-60H CSAR Helicopters damaged but managed to fly out of Iran.
Plus or Minus second A-10 which may have been damaged but able to get to Kuwait to land.

I think that second damaged A-10 that presumably made to Kuwait is very questionable - that is, it probably didn’t happen.