Second F-15E Crew Member Recovered After Heavy Firefight, Report Claims

Last Updated:April 05, 2026, 09:07 IST

A second crew member from the downed US F-15E has been recovered after a heavy firefight, a report has claimed.

A second crew member from the downed US F-15E Strike Eagle has been recovered following a “heavy firefight," a US government official told Al Jazeera, marking a key development in the ongoing search-and-rescue effort linked to the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

The official’s statement indicates that at least part of the rescue mission has been successful despite the difficult operational environment, as military efforts continue to account for all personnel involved in the incident.

Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported that the search remains underway for a missing US pilot after the aircraft was shot down in a mountainous region of Iran’s southwestern Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province.

Iranian authorities have urged residents to hand over the “enemy pilot" in exchange for a reward, with messaging circulated through channels affiliated with Iranian state television.

The Pentagon confirmed it had received notification that an aircraft had been shot down in the Middle East. It informed the US House Armed Services Committee that the status of one crew member was initially unknown.

Iranian state media also reported casualties from airstrikes in the same southwestern region, underlining the volatile conditions in the area where search operations are ongoing.

MULTIPLE AIRCRAFT INCIDENTS COMPLICATE RESCUE EFFORTS

The downed F-15E was one of two US combat aircraft affected during the same period.

Officials cited by Reuters said an A-10 attack aircraft was also hit by Iranian fire and crashed over the Gulf region, with the pilot ejecting safely.

Iran’s joint military command said it had also targeted two US Black Hawk helicopters involved in the search mission.

Reuters similarly reported that helicopters participating in the rescue effort came under fire but were able to leave Iranian airspace.

The status and whereabouts of the missing F-15E crew member had remained unclear before the reported recovery of the second service member, highlighting the complexity of the rescue mission.

CONFLICT INTENSIFIES WITH CONTINUED STRIKES

Israel has vowed to “continue to crush" Iran and confirmed it struck a petrochemical complex on Saturday, with Iranian state media reporting that at least five people were killed.

Reuters reported that the incidents involving the downed aircraft illustrate the continued risks faced by US and allied forces operating in the region despite assertions from US leadership that they maintain control of the airspace.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has been searching areas near where the F-15E came down, while regional authorities have offered commendations for the capture of what they described as hostile forces.

The conflict has also seen drone and missile strikes targeting infrastructure across the region, including energy facilities in Kuwait and projectiles landing near key sites in Israel.

NO IMMEDIATE SIGNS OF DE-ESCALATION

Efforts to broker a ceasefire appear to have stalled, with Iran having informed mediators it is not prepared to meet US officials for talks in the coming days.

According to Reuters, the conflict has already resulted in casualties among US military personnel, with multiple service members killed and hundreds wounded since hostilities escalated.

News world Second F-15E Crew Member Recovered After Heavy Firefight, Report Claims

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