Breaking News Update: One U.S. Pilot Rescued After F-15E Strike Eagle Lost Over Southern Iran; Search Continues for Second Crew Member
This is the first confirmed loss of a manned U.S. combat aircraft since the conflict with Iran began on February 28, 2026. Earlier Iranian claims of downing U.S. aircraft in March were denied by U.S. Central Command.
Tommy Flynn
WASHINGTON – U.S. forces have successfully rescued one crew member from a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle that was lost over southern Iran on April 3, 2026, according to multiple U.S. officials.
Search and rescue operations remain actively underway for the second crew member. The two-seat F-15E was operating in support of ongoing U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iranian targets when the aircraft went down in the mountainous Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province.
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sources and state media claimed they shot down the jet and released photos of wreckage, including what appears to be an ejection seat and tail sections bearing markings of the 494th Fighter Squadron based at RAF Lakenheath, UK. U.S. officials have confirmed the aircraft was lost but have not attributed a specific cause or verified the IRGC’s claim of a shootdown.
The rescue operation involved U.S. HC-130 combat search-and-rescue aircraft and HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters operating inside Iranian territory. Israeli forces reportedly paused planned strikes in the area to avoid interfering with the recovery effort.
President Donald Trump has been briefed on the incident. The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command have not issued an official public statement on the cause of the loss.
This is the first confirmed loss of a manned U.S. combat aircraft since the conflict with Iran began on February 28, 2026. Earlier Iranian claims of downing U.S. aircraft in March were denied by U.S. Central Command.
The incident marks a significant escalation in the air campaign, though U.S. officials continue to emphasize that American forces maintain air superiority over Iran.