A US Central Command statement released Tuesday on the loss of the Apache helicopter said the circumstances surrounding the incident were under investigation. Later in the day, Trump wrote on social media that the aircraft had been “shot down” by Iran.
The Apache is a formidable aircraft, but not invincible. These helicopters often fly low and close to enemy forces in contested airspace, exposing them to a range of threats, such as air defenses, drones, and even small-arms fire.
The exact situation that unfolded this week near Iran is unclear; however, the president told Fox News on Wednesday that the Apache crew crash-landed a burning helicopter with an unexploded drone lodged in the cockpit.
Axios, citing an unnamed US official, reported that the Army helicopter crashed after it was hit by an Iranian drone, but said it was unclear if the collision with the helicopter was intentional.
