Iran Shoots Down Second U.S. Fighter Jet as Search Continues for Downed F-15E Weapons Officer
The A-10 was struck by Iranian air defenses near the Strait of Hormuz and crashed in the Persian Gulf area.
RWTNews Staff
WASHINGTON – Iran has shot down a second American fighter aircraft, an A-10 Warthog, while it was searching for the crew of a previously downed F-15E Strike Eagle, U.S. officials confirmed on April 3, 2026.
The A-10 was struck by Iranian air defenses near the Strait of Hormuz and crashed in the Persian Gulf area. The pilot ejected safely and was rescued after the aircraft reached Kuwaiti airspace. Iranian state media claimed credit for the shoot-down.
The incident occurred as U.S. forces conducted search-and-rescue operations for the crew of an F-15E shot down earlier over Iran. One pilot from the F-15E was safely rescued, but the weapons officer remains missing. A search-and-rescue mission is ongoing.
Two U.S. military helicopters involved in the rescue effort were also fired upon by Iranian forces, but all crew members escaped unharmed.
The back-to-back losses highlight the inherent risks of flying combat missions over hostile territory, even with strong U.S. air superiority. The Pentagon has not released further details on the status of the missing F-15E weapons officer or ongoing search-and-rescue operations.