A US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle from the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron took off from Kadena Air Base in Japan. Shortly after, on Friday, an F-15E was shot down over Iran, leading to a significant search and rescue operation. President Donald Trump announced the successful recovery of the missing airman on Sunday, stating that the pilot had sustained injuries but was expected to recover.
The operation involved the deployment of numerous military aircraft, including Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 Hercules. The airman, a colonel serving as a weapons system officer, was located "deep inside the mountains of Iran" as Iranian forces closed in on his position. Trump highlighted the operation as one of the most daring in US military history, emphasizing the risks faced by the rescue team.
This incident marks the first loss of a manned aircraft over Iran during the ongoing conflict, although it is not the first aircraft loss in the war. Previous incidents include three F-15s downed by Kuwaiti forces due to friendly fire and a KC-135 refueling aircraft crash in Iraq that resulted in six fatalities. Additionally, Iran has shot down several US drones and attacked support aircraft on the ground.
The F-15E incident is part of the broader context of Operation Epic Fury, which commenced on February 28, 2025. In total, over 350 US service members have been reported wounded in the conflict, with thirteen confirmed fatalities. The situation continues to evolve as military operations and engagements persist in the region.