USA Launches Large-Scale Operation to Rescue Crew of Downed F-15E in Iran

The U.S. military has launched a large-scale operation in Iran to search for and rescue the pilot and weapons officer of an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet shot down on April 3.

This was reported by military analyst @EGYOSINT, citing numerous videos posted by local residents.

Judging by the videos, the operation involves a Special Operations Forces (SOF) MC-130J Commando II aircraft and MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters flying at low altitudes in the area of the search-and-rescue operation.

To provide cover for the Special Operations Forces units tasked with evacuating the aircraft crew and conducting reconnaissance of the area, F-35 fighter jets, A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft, and MQ-9 Reaper drones were deployed in the same area.

Another footage from HC-130 & HH-60W over Iran.
Khuzestan Province, #Iran pic.twitter.com/RQY7czxW2h

— Shin (@hey_itsmyturn) April 3, 2026

Intelligence analysts geolocated one of the published videos and determined that the U.S. aircraft were recorded flying over the Lali Bridge in Khuzestan Province, approximately 130 kilometers from the border with Iraq.

Meanwhile, Iranian authorities called on residents of the neighboring province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad to assist in the search for the “pilot or pilots” of the downed aircraft, promising a reward for information.

Iranian media also reported on an alleged clash between units of the Imam Hassan al-Mujtaba Brigade of the IRGC Ground Forces and U.S. Special Operations Forces on the ground. However, there is currently no confirmation of this information.

On the morning of April 3, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that their air defense forces shot down an F-35 Lightning II fighter jet.

However, published photos of the wreckage showed that it was a U.S. Air Force F-15E from the 48th Fighter Wing, based at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom.

It is currently unknown whether both crew members survived, but one of the photos from the crash site shows an empty ejection seat, indicating that the pilot ejected.

If reports of the downing of the F-15E fighter jet are confirmed, this will be the first known combat loss of a manned U.S. Air Force aircraft over Iranian territory and the fourth loss of an F-15 since the war began in late February.

Three other U.S. F-15 fighter jets were shot down over Kuwait as a result of “friendly fire” in early March 2026. At that time, all six crew members ejected and were successfully evacuated.