One crew member rescued, search for other ongoing
One of two crew members of a U.S. fighter jet that was shot down over Iran was located and rescued by U.S. special forces, and the search for the second is ongoing, an Israeli official and a second source with knowledge of the situation told Axios.
The latest: Iran is also hunting for the two crew members and has asked civilians in the area to join the search.
How it happened: The two crew members of the F-15 fighter jet ejected safely after being struck by Iranian fire, the sources said.
- U.S. special forces located one of the crew members and rescued him, alive, on Iranian territory.
- An Israeli official said Israel cancelled planned strikes in Iran so as not to hamper the search and rescue efforts.
- Iranian media was first to report that a jet had been shot down. State TV told Iranians that anyone who located the U.S. troops would be rewarded by the government.
The big picture: This is the first time since the beginning of the war that a U.S. jet was downed by enemy fire.
- White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Axios “the President has been briefed.”
Zoom in: F-15E Strike Eagles fly with two crew, a pilot and a weapons-systems officer.
- The Boeing-made aircraft conduct air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
- Three F-15Es were previously shot down by friendly fire during the war.
- There have been 13 Americans killed during the campaign.
This is breaking news and will be updated – but not by Val.