Two crew members of a US F-15E aircraft that was downed by the IRGC over Iranian territory have been involved in a rescue operation, as confirmed by US and Israeli officials. Reports are conflicting regarding the status of the second crew member, with some sources suggesting that the individual is in Iranian custody while others indicate ongoing search efforts.
The New York Times reported that US forces initiated a search-and-rescue mission before Iranian authorities could reach any potential survivors, with Axios noting that the aircraft carried a two-person crew. Typically, an F15-E comprises a pilot in the front seat and a Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) in the back seat.
According to a report from Israel’s Channel 12, based on Western sources, one of the crew members from the downed F-15E Strike Eagle has been successfully rescued and evacuated from southern Iran. President Trump has been briefed on the incident, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirming ongoing search and rescue efforts for the pilot and weapons officer.
Iran’s Tasnim News Agency and various open-source intelligence channels previously stated that at least one American pilot ejected following the aircraft’s downing by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on Friday. The IRGC announced the destruction of a second F-35 fighter jet over central Iran, claiming it belonged to the Lakenheath squadron and highlighting previous claims of downing an F-35 jet on March 19.
There are indications that US forces attempted to extract the crew members through a combat-search-and-rescue operation within Iranian territory, with conflicting reports suggesting the possible capture of at least one pilot by Iranian forces. Iranian media outlets and a local governor have encouraged citizens to assist in locating and capturing the US pilot, offering rewards for such actions.
In a separate incident, the Associated Press reported that four US military aircraft had been lost during the Iran conflict, including three fighter jets hit by friendly fire and a refueling tanker crashing in Iraq. These incidents underscore the complexities and risks involved in military operations within the region.