F-16's Air-to-Air Success: Deterring Iran with Three Kills
An F-16 fighter jet with three air-to-air kills, achieved during a NATO mission in 1994 over Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been deployed to the Strait of Hormuz as part of efforts to deter Iran from seizing oil tankers. The kill markings on the aircraft's tail signify one of the most impressive feats of air combat in recent decades. This deployment is accompanied by A-10s, U.S. ships, and upcoming reinforcements including F-35s, the USS Bataan amphibious assault ship, and Marines. The presence of an aircraft with air-to-air kills is rare in the U.S. military, with the last American air-to-air kill occurring in 2017.