A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet Fighter Was Nearly Destroyed By Iran Missile Attack

AI Analysis
A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet narrowly avoided being hit by an Iranian man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) during a mission over Chabahar, Iran. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions and risks of aerial operations in the region.
Key Takeaways
- The incident involved a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet.
- The near-miss was caused by an Iranian MANPADS.
- The event occurred near the port of Chabahar in Iran.
- The F/A-18 was conducting low-level strafing runs against Iranian positions.
- The footage of the incident was released on March 26.
Why It Matters
This incident underscores the persistent threat posed by portable air-defense systems to military aircraft, especially in contested regions like the Middle East. It highlights the need for advanced countermeasures and strategic planning to mitigate risks in aerial operations.
<img width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Navy-Aircraft-Carrier-with-Super-Hornet.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Michael Cordova directs an F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on Jan. 10, 2026. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Units assigned to 7th Fleet conduct regular Indo-Pacific patrols to deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and advance peace through strength. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Daniel Kimmelman)" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Navy-Aircraft-Carrier-with-Super-Hornet.jpg 1280w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Navy-Aircraft-Carrier-with-Super-Hornet-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Navy-Aircraft-Carrier-with-Super-Hornet-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Navy-Aircraft-Carrier-with-Super-Hornet-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Navy-Aircraft-Carrier-with-Super-Hornet-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Navy-Aircraft-Carrier-with-Super-Hornet-600x337.jpg 600w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Navy-Aircraft-Carrier-with-Super-Hornet-150x84.jpg 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /><p>Video footage released on March 26 showed a very near miss by an Iranian man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) on an F/A-18 Super Hornet. The videos were geolocated to the port of Chabahar in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan Province. The F/A-18 pilot had been conducting low-level strafing runs against Iranian military positions with its M61A1 Vulcan […]</p>
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