US EditionSecond U.S. Air Force plane downed in Persian Gulf region; pilot rescued: Report
The pilot ejected and was rescued as U.S. forces launched search-and-rescue operations after a second American combat plane went down.
- On Friday, April 3, 2026, the U.S. Air Force launched a search-and-rescue mission after an F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over southwestern Iran; one crew member was successfully extracted while efforts to locate the second airman continue.
- Iranian media circulated government messages offering a $60,000 reward to capture the F-15E crew alive and to fire upon CSAR aircraft, while unverified reports alleged one crew member had already been captured by Iranian forces.
- The Pentagon scrambled HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters and HC-130J Combat King II refueling aircraft over Khuzestan, though both assets operate at vulnerable speeds and altitudes, risking ambush from short-range air defenses over hostile terrain.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Military Times on Friday "the president has been briefed" on the incident, while imagery confirmed the wreckage belonged to an F-15E despite Iranian state media initially claiming they downed an F-35.
- International law dictates that POWs "shall in all circumstances be treated humanely," yet sustained operations against Iran's dense air defenses have already cost the military at least 16 MQ-9A Reaper drones, testing U.S. airpower durability.
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Ottumwa Courier
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One U.S. service member has been rescued and at least one is missing after two U.S. military planes went down in separate incidents including the first shoot-down since the war began nearly five weeks ago. It was the first time…
2nd US Aircraft Downed Over Iran: Iranian State Media
Iranian state media said a second U.S. military aircraft was downed by Iran on Friday. A U.S. A-10 Warthog warplane crashed into the waters in the Persian Gulf after being struck by Iranian defense forces, Iranian state media said. The White House and the Pentagon did not immediately return a request for comment. Earlier on Friday, a U.S. fighter jet was shot down by Iran. One crew member was rescued, and another was missing. The Associated Pre…
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According to The New York Times, a “second Air Force combat plane” crashed in the “Persian Gulf region” on Friday. “The lone pilot was safely rescued, according to two U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss operational matters,” the outlet stated. SECOND US PLANE CRASHED IN PERSIAN GULF REGION EARLIER: NYT The A-10 Warthog attack plane went down near the Strait of Hormuz about the same time that an Air Force F-15E was sho…
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