According to the Pentagon, the first U.S. air-to-air engagement since 1999 took place in June of 2017 only after Syrian loyalist forces attacked U.S. backed Syrian Democratic Forces in the village of Ja’Din, southwest of Raqqa. After a SU-22 dropped bombs near the Syrian Democratic Forces, a U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet immediately moved to engage.
“On June 18 at 6:43 p.m., a Syrian regime SU-22 military jet aircraft dropped bombs near Syrian Democratic Forces fighters south of Tabqah, Syria, and, in accordance with rules of engagement and in collective self-defense of coalition partnered forces, was immediately shot down by a U.S. F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft.” The Pentagon explained in a press release.
“The coalition presence in Syria addresses the imminent threat ISIS in Syria poses globally. The demonstrated hostile intent and actions of pro-regime forces toward coalition and partner forces in Syria conducting legitimate counter-ISIS operations will not be tolerated.”
Watch footage of the Su-22 being shot down below: