One U.S. crew member rescued after Iran downs warplane, search continues for second

One U.S. crew member rescued after Iran downs warplane, search continues for second
F-15 fighter jets from Tyndall Air Force Base in Daytona Beach, Florida, 14 February 2018.
Reuters

One crew member from a U.S. warplane shot down over Iran has been rescued, U.S. officials said, as a search continues for a second crew member.

Two U.S. sources told Reuters the aircraft was a two-seat F-15E fighter jet, contradicting earlier Iranian reports that it was an F-35. A search-and-rescue operation remains under way for the remaining crew member.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said it was combing an area in the country’s southwest where the aircraft came down. Iranian news agencies also reported low-flying U.S. helicopters conducting apparent search missions, publishing footage that showed residents firing at them.

A regional governor in southwestern Iran told the semi-official ISNA news agency that anyone who captured or killed the pilot would be commended, as authorities urged the public to help locate the crew.

U.S. broadcaster CBS News, citing two U.S. officials, reported that one of the pilots had been rescued. The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command have not yet commented publicly.

The incident underscores the risks still faced by U.S. and Israeli aircraft operating over Iran, despite assertions from U.S. President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth that their forces have control of the skies.

The reports have not been independently verified, and details remain limited as the situation continues to develop.

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