Two crew members of a US F-15E aircraft shot down by the IRGC over Iranian territory have ejected, with one already rescued, as confirmed by US and Israeli officials. Conflicting reports exist regarding the status of the second crew member, with some sources suggesting they are in Iranian custody while others indicate ongoing search efforts.
According to reports from The New York Times and Axios, US forces initiated a search-and-rescue mission to retrieve any survivors before Iranian forces could intervene. The F-15E involved in the incident typically operates with a pilot in the front seat and a Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) in the back seat.
A Western source, as reported by Israel’s Channel 12, affirmed the successful rescue and evacuation of one of the American crew members from southern Iran. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed CNN that President Trump has been briefed on the situation, emphasizing ongoing efforts to locate and rescue the pilot and weapons officer.
Initial accounts from Iran’s Tasnim News Agency and open-source intelligence outlets indicated that at least one American pilot ejected following the aircraft’s downing by the IRGC. The IRGC claimed responsibility for destroying the F-15E, with reports suggesting US forces attempted a combat-search-and-rescue operation to extract the crew from Iranian territory.
Furthermore, Iranian state media has encouraged locals to assist in locating the US pilot, promising rewards for capturing or killing them. The province of Kohkilouyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, where the incident occurred, urged citizens to report any sightings of Americans and offered incentives for handing over the pilot.
In related developments, images shared by Iranian state media depicted American aircraft, including helicopters, planes, and drones, engaged in apparent search-and-rescue operations in the region following the downing of the fighter jet. Previous incidents during the Iran conflict have resulted in the loss of four US military aircraft, including friendly fire incidents and crashes, highlighting the heightened tensions in the region.