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Both crew members of an American F-15E Strike Eagle shot down over southern Iran have been rescued, the U.S. military and President Donald Trump confirmed on April 5, 2026, in what officials called one of the most complex combat search-and-rescue operations in recent history.
The Shootdown: First U.S. Aircraft Lost Inside Iran
The F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down by Iranian air defenses on April 3, 2026 — marking the first time a U.S. aircraft has gone down inside Iranian territory since the war began on February 28, 2026. The jet was carrying two crew members: a pilot and a weapons systems officer (WSO), both officers of the U.S. Air Force.
The pilot was located and extracted within hours of the crash. However, the WSO — identified as a colonel — evaded capture for more than 48 hours in the mountains of southern Iran before U.S. special operations forces reached him. Iran’s state television aired footage claiming its forces had shot down two American rescue helicopters and a transport aircraft during the rescue mission, though the Pentagon has not confirmed those losses.
Trump Confirms Rescue: ‘One of the Most Daring Operations in U.S. History’
President Trump announced the successful rescue on his Truth Social platform on April 5, calling it "one of the most daring search and rescue operations in U.S. history." He confirmed the colonel had sustained injuries but was "safe and sound" and expected to make a full recovery. Iranian state media had previously aired appeals for citizens to find and hand over the American officer to authorities.
War Context: 37 Days Since U.S.-Israel Strikes on Iran
The rescue took place on Day 37 of the broader Middle East conflict. The war began February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and several senior Iranian military and political leaders. As of April 5, at least 2,076 people have been killed and approximately 26,500 injured in Iran since the conflict began. Iran’s leadership has continued to defy U.S. calls to open the Strait of Hormuz and has rejected a proposed ceasefire plan.
Strategic and Diplomatic Implications
The F-15E incident underscores the elevated risk environment for U.S. forces operating over Iranian airspace and the intensity of Iranian air defense capabilities despite early coalition strikes. The rescue operation’s success is being viewed in Washington as a significant morale and operational victory, but Iran’s claims of having downed U.S. rotary-wing aircraft during the rescue — if verified — would represent a serious escalation in the air war. Both sides are preparing for continued operations as diplomatic efforts remain stalled.
FAQ
Q: When did the US-Iran war start?
A: The conflict began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. As of April 7, the war has entered its 38th day.
Q: Were any U.S. rescue aircraft lost during the F-15E crew recovery?
A: Iran’s state television claimed that two American rescue helicopters and a transport aircraft were shot down during the operation to recover the second crew member. The U.S. Pentagon has not confirmed or denied these claims as of the time of publication.
This article was written by AI based on publicly available information. / 이 기사는 공개된 정보를 바탕으로 AI가 작성했습니다.
