Downing of the U.S. F-15E Fighter Jet in Iran (April 2026)

Downing of the U.S. F-15E Fighter Jet in Iran, during the joint military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on 28 February 2026, is a military incident involving the shootdown of a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet over Iranian airspace.

This incident has been recorded as one of the first confirmed cases of a U.S. fighter jet being shot down by Iranian fire since the outbreak of hostilities.

The Downing Incident

On 3 April 2026, a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet was shot down by Iranian forces in southern Iran. This twin-seat Boeing-made aircraft carries a two-person crew: a pilot and a weapons systems officer. According to information cited by Axios from an Israeli official and another source with knowledge of the incident, both crew members ejected from the aircraft after it was hit by Iranian fire.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that the aircraft was destroyed by its advanced air defense systems over central Iranian airspace. The official statement falsely claimed the aircraft was an F-35, stating: “An advanced American-made F-35 fighter jet was destroyed over central Iranian airspace by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ advanced air defense system.”

Wreckage footage published by Iranian media was analyzed by experts from BBC Verify, who concluded that the debris was consistent with that of a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle. The inscription “U.S. Air Forces in Europe” found on the wreckage matched the emblems used on F-15 Eagle aircraft. It is also known that U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle squadrons are stationed at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom and are routinely deployed to the Middle East on rotation.

Search and Rescue Operations

Following the jet’s downing, the United States launched a search and rescue operation. According to CBS News citing unnamed U.S. officials, the operation involved two helicopters and one A-10 Warthog aircraft. U.S. special forces reported that one pilot was found alive on Iranian soil and rescued.

BBC Verify confirmed a video showing a U.S. fighter jet and two helicopters near a bridge over the Karun River in Khuzestan Province. The footage indicates that the United States conducted search and rescue activities on the ground.

Various complications occurred during the rescue operation. According to Axios, the Black Hawk helicopter carrying the rescued pilot came under small arms fire; some crew members were injured, but the helicopter continued its flight and landed safely.

According to CBS News, the A-10 Warthog aircraft providing support during the operation was also targeted; its pilot ejected over the Gulf and was later rescued. The Iranian military claimed it had shot down one U.S. helicopter involved in the rescue mission.

Iran’s Stance and Reward Announcement

Iranian state television quickly announced the downing and called on citizens to capture the missing U.S. crew member “alive”. According to BBC Persian, the announced reward was approximately £50,000. A broadcast on Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provincial television, affiliated with Iranian state media, stated: “If you deliver the enemy’s pilot or pilots alive to police or military authorities, you will receive a substantial reward.”

Following the reward announcement, it was reported that armed civilians, particularly in Khuzestan and other southern provinces, joined search efforts. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, posted a message on social media referencing previous statements by U.S. President Donald Trump. In the post, Ghalibaf said: “After defeating Iran 37 times in a row, this bright but strategically inept war they launched has now been reduced from ‘regime change’ to ‘Please, can you find our pilots?’ My goodness. What an incredible advancement. These people are definitely geniuses.”

Israel’s Position

According to Axios citing an Israeli official, Israel postponed planned attacks on southern Iran to ensure the search and rescue operation would not be hindered. It was also reported that Israel provided intelligence support to the United States in locating the missing crew member.

Other U.S. Aircraft Losses Confirmed During the Conflict

Kuwait F-15E Strike Eagle – 1 March 2026

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that on 1 March 2026 at 23:03 local time, three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets operating under Operation Epic Fury were accidentally shot down by Kuwaiti air defense systems in an active combat environment involving Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles. All six crew members ejected and were rescued, and their conditions were reported as stable. Kuwait officially acknowledged the incident and launched an investigation.

Tanker Aircraft in Iraq – 12 March 2026

CENTCOM announced that a U.S. military refueling aircraft in western Iraq crashed following a mid-air collision with another aircraft, resulting in the loss of all six crew members.

About the F-15E Strike Eagle

The F-15E Strike Eagle is a twin-engine, two-seat fighter jet manufactured by Boeing. Designed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, the aircraft possesses long-range operational capability due to its advanced avionics and high fuel capacity. It operates with a crew of one pilot and one weapons systems officer and is deployed across various U.S. Air Force bases, including RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom.