How 'Wild Weasel' missions became essential in the fight with Iran

As fighting with Iran restarted in early July, the U.S. Air Force sent additional fighter jets to the Middle East, emphasizing SEAD missions—also known as “Wild Weasel”—to suppress enemy air defenses during air campaigns. The deployment includes F-16s from Germany’s 480th Fighter Squadron and F-35s from the UK’s RAF Lakenheath, specifically the 48th Fighter Wing, according to Air & Space Forces Magazine. The article cites past threats and losses: Israeli drones were downed in the war’s first week, an American F-35 was damaged in March, and on April 3 a shoulder-fired missile shot down an F-15E, triggering extended combat search and rescue. SEAD roles trace back to Vietnam-era tactics but now rely on modern anti-radiation and electronic warfare systems.