Washington, April 4 (NationPress) A US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle was downed over Iranian territory, prompting a combat search-and-rescue operation. One crew member has been successfully rescued, while efforts are ongoing to find the other, whose situation is still uncertain.

Both personnel ejected from the aircraft; one has been located alive, while the search for the second continues. The F-15E is a dual-seat multirole fighter featuring a pilot and a weapons systems officer.

On the same day, a separate incident involved a US Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft, which was also lost in the area. Its pilot has been safely rescued, according to sources cited by local media.

Initial reports from the US suggest that both aircraft were struck by Iranian fire. Iran has asserted that it shot down an American fighter and released images that allegedly depict the wreckage of an F-15E, although the authenticity of these images remains unverified.

Requests for comments from US Central Command and the Pentagon went unanswered.

Social media videos, reportedly from southwestern Iran, depicted US aircraft flying at low altitudes, likely in support of combat search-and-rescue operations.

The US Air Force has deployed CSAR teams in the area, utilizing HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and HH-60 helicopters. At least one rescue helicopter involved in this operation sustained damage from Iranian fire but was able to land safely, as per sources familiar with the incident.

These events represent the first confirmed combat loss of US crewed aircraft in the ongoing conflict. Earlier, a US Air Force F-35 pilot sustained shrapnel injuries after their aircraft was damaged during a mission over Iran on March 19, yet the jet was able to execute an emergency landing.

Additionally, three F-15Es were involved in incidents of “friendly fire” over Kuwait on March 2, where all six crew members ejected safely. In a separate event, a KC-135 tanker crashed in western Iraq following an apparent midair collision, resulting in the deaths of six airmen.

According to Iranian state media, the downing of these aircraft marks the first occasion in which Tehran has shot down an American fighter since the conflict commenced weeks ago. Reports also stated that Iranian forces are actively searching for the missing US service member in the vicinity of the downed jet.

US officials have indicated that American forces maintain air superiority over significant portions of Iran, having targeted over 12,300 sites.