A US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran, leading to a combat search-and-rescue mission. One crew member has been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to locate the second crew member. The F-15E is a two-seat multirole fighter with a pilot and a weapons systems officer.
In a separate incident on the same day, a US Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft was also lost in the region. The pilot of the A-10 Thunderbolt II was safely rescued, as reported by local media sources. Initial reports from the US suggest that both aircraft were hit by Iranian fire.
Videos circulating on social media from southwestern Iran showed US aircraft flying at low altitudes, possibly engaged in combat search-and-rescue missions. The US Air Force has deployed CSAR teams in the region with HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and HH-60 helicopters. Despite facing Iranian fire, one rescue helicopter managed to land safely during the operation.
These incidents mark the first known combat loss of US crewed aircraft in the current conflict. Earlier, a US Air Force F-35 pilot sustained shrapnel wounds due to aircraft damage during a mission over Iran. However, the F-35 was able to perform an emergency landing.
