U.S. fighter jet shot down in Iran: Search ongoing for missing crew member
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An F-15 fighter jet. Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
One of two crew members of a U.S. fighter jet that was shot down over Iran was located and rescued by U.S. special forces, and the search for the second is ongoing, an Israeli official and a second source with knowledge of the situation told Axios.
The latest: Iran is also hunting for the crew and has asked civilians in the area to join the search, offering a reward if they're found.
- The Iranian armed forces said in a statement that it had struck an American A-10 attack aircraft in a separate incident on Friday. A source with knowledge confirmed the A-10 was hit but said the pilot was safely rescued. A second source said the plane crashed and was destroyed but the pilot was safe.
- The Iranian military said it had also hit a U.S. Blackhawk helicopter that was participating in the search for the crew members of the downed F-15.
- A U.S. official confirmed the Blackhawk was hit and crew members were injured but that it was still able to fly. It was the same helicopter used to rescue the crew member from the F-15.
How it happened: The two crew members of the F-15 fighter jet ejected safely after being struck by Iranian fire, the sources said.
- U.S. special forces located one of the crew members and rescued him, alive, on Iranian territory.
- An Israeli official said Israel cancelled planned strikes in Iran so as not to hamper the search and rescue efforts. Israel is helping the U.S. with intelligence in order to locate the other crew member, the Israeli official said.
- Iranian media was first to report that a jet had been shot down. State TV told Iranians that anyone who located the U.S. troops would be rewarded by the government.
The big picture: This is the first time since the beginning of the war that a U.S. jet was downed by enemy fire.
- White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Axios "the President has been briefed."
Zoom in: F-15E Strike Eagles fly with a pilot and a weapons-systems officer.
- The Boeing-made aircraft conduct air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
- Three F-15Es were previously shot down by friendly fire during the war.
- There have been 13 Americans killed during the campaign.
Zoom out: Iran's successful downing of the U.S. jet comes despite repeated claims from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials that the U.S. had achieved dominance of the Iranian skies.
- President Trump said during his prime time address on Wednesday said there was "not a thing" Iran could do to stop potential strikes on oil infrastructure. "They have no anti-aircraft equipment. Their radar is 100% annihilated. We are unstoppable as a military force," he said.
This is breaking news and will be updated. Colin Demarest contributed reporting.
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