Tehran / Washington, D.C. – April 3, 2026 A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle from the 494th Fighter Squadron (RAF Lakenheath) was shot down over southwestern Iran. Both the pilot and Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) ejected successfully. The pilot was recovered within hours. The WSO evaded Iranian forces for approximately 48 hours in mountainous terrain while maintaining intermittent contact with U.S. forces.
The rescue operation involved a large-scale, high-risk Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) mission deep inside Iranian territory. U.S. assets included MQ-9 Reaper drones for overwatch and strikes, A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support (one A-10 was hit but its pilot ejected safely over Kuwait), HC-130 tankers, Black Hawk helicopters, and MC-130 aircraft for insertion/exfiltration. U.S. Special Operations forces were inserted to locate and extract the WSO.
During the final extraction phase, at least two MC-130 aircraft landed at a remote airstrip inside Iran; both became disabled on the ground and were deliberately destroyed by U.S. forces to prevent sensitive equipment from falling into Iranian hands. A light helicopter was also reportedly lost at the site. All personnel were successfully extracted with no U.S. fatalities or captures.
President Trump confirmed the successful rescue, stating no American personnel were killed and praising the operation’s execution.
