It is expecting that there should NOT loss any expensive aircrafts (big ones), yet we see many pictures release recently.
Don't focus on 1 PILOT only, see full pictures
Sir, respectfully, the correct context in which to frame the outcome is that determined by the stated objectives of the protagonists.
USA, since as far back as I can remember, states clearly that nobody will be left behind in their wars, regardless of material cost.
USA is 100% successful in this context.
I agree that he may be severely injured, but they got him out and stuck to their promise.
The material cost was substantial, but it won't alter the tactics of the USA in future scenarios because mostly small arms hits and a boggy runway are factored into their calculus already. They avoided the threshold of loss that would cause alteration in their future approach. I.e. they will violate Iranian territory at will and on their terms in a similar scenario next time.
Iran's main stated aim was to capture the pilot, which failed.
Secondarily, (and I think this should have been their MAIN aim, and perhaps it even secretly was despite their statements), they sought to inflict casualties upon rescue assets (both human and material). Here, they partially succeeded, but not enough (see above paragraph).
