Search ongoing for 2nd crew member after Iran downs U.S. fighter jet

CBS News
April 3, 2026
3 min read

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Search continues for second U.S. fighter pilot after Iran shoots down F-15E jet.

AI Summary

U.S. forces have recovered one crew member from an F-15E fighter jet that Iran shot down, according to two U.S. officials, but search-and-rescue operations continue for the second pilot. The downing of the American combat aircraft represents a significant escalation in military tensions, marking one of the most direct confrontations between U.S. and Iranian forces in recent years. The recovery of the first crew member suggests active rescue operations are underway in hostile territory, though the location and condition of the second pilot remain unclear. The incident underscores the risks facing American military personnel operating in or near Iranian airspace and raises questions about the circumstances that led to the jet's loss.

What's Being Done

Search-and-rescue operations ongoing in hostile territory for second pilot; location and condition unknown.

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