{"url":"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/world/middleeast/f-15-us-fighter-jet-iran.html","title":"nytimes.com","domain":"nytimes.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/32047569/pexels-photo-32047569.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","category":"World","language":"en","slug":"305e178c","id":"305e178c-6b62-4dd4-913b-232cb024ba0b","description":"Iran shot down a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle over southwestern Iran on Friday.","summary":"## TL;DR\n- **Iran** shot down a **U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle** over **southwestern Iran** on **Friday**.\n- One of two crew members rescued; the other missing as of **Saturday**.\n- Incident marks first **U.S. fighter jet** lost to **Iranian** fire in ongoing war.\n\n## The story at a glance\n**Iran** downed a **U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle** fighter jet over **southwestern Iran** on **Friday**, the first such loss to enemy fire in the war. Both crew ejected; one rescued quickly, the second still missing amid risky U.S. search operations. An **A-10 Warthog** also crashed near the **Strait of Hormuz** the same day, pilot rescued. The war began over a month ago with **U.S.-Israeli** strikes on **Iran**.\n\n## Key moments & milestones\n- **Friday**: **Iran** shoots down **F-15E Strike Eagle** from **494th Fighter Squadron** over **southwestern Iran**.\n- **Friday**: Crew ejects; one rescued soon after.\n- **Friday**: **A-10 Warthog** crashes near **Strait of Hormuz**, pilot rescued.\n- **Friday**: U.S. **UH-60 Black Hawk** hit by Iranian ground fire during rescue but reaches **Iraq** safely.\n- **Early Saturday**: Search continues for missing crew member.\n\n## Signature highlights\n- Wreckage images from **Iran** state media show **F-15E** wingtip and vertical stabilizer with markings from **494th Fighter Squadron**, **R.A.F. Lakenheath**, per expert **Justin Bronk**.\n- **F-15E** lacks stealth, flies at **Mach 2.5** (**1,875 mph**), carries **20,000-pound** payload, used for air-to-ground/air-to-air since **1986**.\n- **A-10 Warthog** flies low/slow, fires **70 30-mm shells/second**; **Pentagon** doubled regional fleet this month.\n- **Iran** offers reward for capturing \"enemy pilots\" alive.\n- Rescue involved **C-130** and helicopters flying low over **Iran**; risks highlighted by **2005 Afghanistan** ambush killing **16 U.S.** rescuers.\n\n## Key quotes\n- \"**President Trump** ... would intensely bomb **Iran** 'over the next two to three weeks.'\" – **Trump** national address, two days prior.\n\n## Why it matters\nEscalates **U.S.-Iran** war risks, showing **Iran**'s air defenses can still down advanced jets despite weakening. Heightens dangers for **U.S.** air crews and rescue teams in hostile territory. Watch updates on missing airman, **Trump** administration response, and potential intensified strikes.","hashtags":["#iran","#usmilitary","#f15","#middleeast","#war","#trump"],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-04T17:04:55.540Z"}