17:58 05-04-2026

US Special Forces Rescue F-15 Crew Member in Iran

US special forces rescue missing F-15 crew member in Iran after complex operation involving SEAL Team 6, air support, and evacuation under fire.

U.S. special operations forces have completed a mission to rescue the second crew member of an F-15 fighter jet shot down over Iran, Axios reported, citing sources within the American government.

The F-15E Strike Eagle was hit on April 3, forcing both crew members to eject. The pilot was recovered within hours, but the weapons systems officer initially went missing.

He reportedly spent more than a day hiding in a mountain crevice before being located. Rescue teams tracked him using a beacon and communication equipment he had on hand. According to the report, he was armed only with a pistol for self-defense.

Search-and-rescue efforts were carried out on April 3 and 4 directly on Iranian territory, with air support involved throughout the operation. Once the mission was completed, all U.S. forces withdrew from the area.

The core of the operation was led by Navy SEAL Team 6. Sources indicated that U.S. aircraft provided covering fire around the pilot’s position, preventing Iranian forces from closing in. A firefight broke out when special forces reached him.

In the final stage of the mission, two transport aircraft used to deploy the team had to be destroyed after they became immobilized for unclear reasons and were unable to take off. Command quickly dispatched three replacement aircraft for evacuation, while the disabled planes were blown up to prevent them from falling into Iranian hands.

According to sources, the operation was completed without casualties among U.S. personnel. Both rescued crew members were transported to Kuwait, where they are now recovering.

One senior official described the mission as among the most complex and large-scale operations in the history of U.S. special forces.