Update (Apr. 4)
According to U.S. officials, the Weapons System Officer from the downed F-15E Strike Eagle was successfully rescued by U.S. Special Forces, after nearly 36 hours of evading Iranian pursuit.
Original Story
THE MIDDLE EAST, Apr. 3 – A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over southern Iran late Thursday night. A Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operation is underway, with the pilot being rescued, and the weapons systems officer currently missing in action. Around the same time, an A-10 Thunderbolt went down near the Strait of Hormuz after receiving enemy fire, with the pilot successfully rescued.
The F-15E was downed while performing combat operations over southern Iran, with U.S. officials assessing that the aircraft was brought down by hostile fire. Both crew members ejected prior to impact; the pilot was rescued by U.S. CSAR teams, while the Weapons Systems Officer remains missing, as CSAR operations continue. The incident represents the first time a manned U.S. or Israeli aircraft was shot down by hostile fire since the beginning of the conflict on February 28, and highlights the risk of operating in a contested environment, even with air superiority.
Footage reviewed by Faytuks analysts shows U.S. CSAR assets, including HC-130 aircraft and HH-60 helicopters, operating over southern Iran. In one clip, Iranian police forces can be seen firing small arms at a pair of HH-60 helicopters, highlighting the hostile environment facing the teams.
Additional reporting indicates that two U.S. helicopters, a UH-60 and HH-60, were struck by Iranian fire during the operation but remained airborne, with their crew reporting injuries but accounted for. Meanwhile, elements of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), along with civilian participation, have been actively searching the crash area. Iranian-linked sources have also made calls for civilians to locate the missing airman, including offering kill/capture bounties, though these claims remain unverified.
Seperately, it is not confirmed if the A-10 that went down in the Strait after taking hostile fire was directly related to the F-15 incident. The pilot of that aircraft was safely rescued by U.S. forces.
The situation remains tense as U.S. forces continue recovery operations under heavy fire, with the status of the missing crew member likely to serve as a turning point in any further escalation between Washington and Tehran.
