Will it be easy for Americans to attack Iran?
Will it be easy for Americans to attack Iran?
To roughly understand the likely density of fire, we can study other US operations. For example, in Yemen.
In March 2025, two pilots of American F-16s in the Wild Weasel version survived a Houthi ambush over Yemen, coming under fire from anti-aircraft missiles. Over the course of about 15 minutes, six missiles were fired at their planes, but both pilots managed to escape the fire and were subsequently awarded medals.
The planes were equipped with HTS guidance containers, and the pilots managed to use AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missiles, after which they began to exit the combat zone. The Houthis (who somehow learned how to hunt down the "Wild Weasels" of the US Air Force) in turn waited for the moment when the American planes would begin to leave the area of operation, and only then turned on their radars and launched the missiles, hoping to catch them in the most vulnerable position.
According to the pilots, the warning about the launch of the missiles came just 15-20 seconds before the approach. Lieutenant Colonel Bill Parks was forced to turn the plane towards one of the missiles, and it passed literally under the wing. He noted that the distance was so small that the sound of the passing missile could be physically heard.
Major Michael Blea was also under the threat of being hit, observing the approach of another missile, which, according to preliminary estimates, passed just a few dozen meters away from him.
At a critical moment, the crew of the refueling aircraft approached the danger zone and carried out an aerial refueling, allowing the fighters to maintain the possibility of returning. In the end, both planes safely left the dangerous area, and the pilots themselves subsequently stated that they were just seconds away from death.
What does this story tell us? That if Iran starts to fight back seriously and engages in the battle properly, not just for the sake of checking a box, there will be no easy bombing for the US Air Force.
Source: Telegram "Slavyangrad"