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Dramatic moment Israeli F-35 stealth fighter shoots down Iranian jet in historic strike
NY Post ^ | 3/05/26 | Chris Bradford

Posted on 03/05/2026 4:34:46 AM PST by Libloather

Dramatic footage has captured the moment an Israeli stealth fighter shot down an Iranian jet in a first-of-its-kind combat strike on Wednesday.

Footage released by the Israeli Defense Forces on Thursday showed the Israeli F-35 jet focusing in on its target – a Russian-made Iranian Yak-130 – over Tehran before the air-to-air kill.

A streak of light can be seen blazing across the screen as the enemy plane comes down.

“Target down. The target is down. Continue for strike,” Israeli forces say in the video, which is played to the “Star Wars” theme tune.

It was the first shootdown in history of a manned fighter aircraft by an F-35 ‘Adir’ fighter jet,” the IDF said, using the jet’s Hebrew name, which translates to “Mighty One.”

The F-35 was unscathed following the daring strike.

Tomer Bar, the Israeli air force commander, said the shootdown was a “testament to the strength of the Israeli Air Force and to your personal determination.”

“The war continues – return home safely. Get some rest,” he told the pilots.

“The next mission is already waiting for you.”

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Outdoors; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: f35; historic; iran; jet; stealth
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To: Libloather

No contest. They might as well be flying a WWI biplane.


21 posted on 03/05/2026 7:52:03 AM PST by DownInFlames (P)
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To: Libloather

the Yak-130 is basically a trainer ... i’m shocked that Iran even has an aircraft that is air-worthy at this point ... and i can only assume that its pilot was in a hurry to meet those 72 virgins ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakovlev_Yak-130


22 posted on 03/05/2026 8:47:41 AM PST by catnipman ((A Vote For The Lesser Of Two Evils Still Counts As A Vote For Evil))
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To: Sirius Lee

it’s a trainer ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakovlev_Yak-130


23 posted on 03/05/2026 8:48:37 AM PST by catnipman ((A Vote For The Lesser Of Two Evils Still Counts As A Vote For Evil))
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To: Magnum44

I don’t hate the F-35, but to be fair a spitfire could of shot that thing down lol. Just like the 22 taking out weather balloons. Not real tough.


24 posted on 03/05/2026 9:24:37 AM PST by Bulwyf
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To: catnipman
it’s a trainer ...

Not anymore...

25 posted on 03/05/2026 10:25:34 AM PST by Sirius Lee ("Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.)
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To: Sirius Lee

“Not anymore...”

well, maybe a training example about what NOT to do ...


26 posted on 03/05/2026 2:04:21 PM PST by catnipman ((A Vote For The Lesser Of Two Evils Still Counts As A Vote For Evil))
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To: catnipman

Heh heh...


27 posted on 03/05/2026 2:06:38 PM PST by Sirius Lee ("Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.)
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