# @thevigilantheroes on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DVaT5-UlulJ
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/66793441-thevigilantheroes-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/47bb0cd1a1.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-03-03T05:48:10.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Vigilant Heroes (@thevigilantheroes) — https://gondola.cc/thevigilantheroes

## Caption

In all the breaking news around Operation Epic Fury—one detail caught our attention...the F-35 Lightning II, may have scored its first true air-to-air kill in combat (not a drone!). During combat ops over Iran, multiple F-35s allegedly intercepted and destroyed several MiG-29s shortly after strikes within Iran—a potential first for the platform after years of drone-only engagements.
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Officials have not released footage or confirmed these kills...but the various reports appear to be cite inside sources with knowledge of the missions—with some speculating that the Iranian MIGs could have been downed from long-range missiles without any sort of close-in engagement/maneuvers (supporting what many argue that the era of the ‘dogfight’ is over...) If these engagements are verified, it’s a milestone moment for the newest stealth aircraft and a validation of the jet’s long-range lethality. 
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Of note, the elite 5th-gen jets have had surprisingly few air-to-air opportunities to date....mostly engaging incoming drones and Israeli F-35s have been ‘in combat’ and engaged targets.  And before you ask—there’s been no word on any F-22 Raptor engagements so far in Operation Epic Fury....could we see Iranian F-14s versus F-35s or F-22s???....We’ll keep you updated: thevigilantheroes
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#futurewar #AirForce #F35 #Aviation #Iran

## Stats

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## Tags

futurewar, airforce, aviation, iran, f35

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