US rescues missing fighter jet pilots after F-15 shot down over Iran

United States (US) President, Donald Trump, on Sunday confirmed that two American military officers who went missing after their fighter jet was shot down over Iran have now been rescued. Reports on Friday, citing U.S. officials, indicated that one crew member of the downed F-15 fighter jet had been recovered, while the second remained missing, sparking an urgent search operation.

BBCreports that President Trump later announced that the second airman had been found “safe and sound” following a rescue mission that reportedly led to an engagement between U.S. and Iranian forces. According to the White House, the missing officer was a weapon systems officer aboard the F-15 aircraft that was shot down in southern Iran.

The pilot, who was also on board, had been rescued earlier. The search for the missing airman turned into a race between U.S. and Iranian forces, with Iranian authorities offering a cash reward to citizens to help locate the officer alive.

[paywall]

Iran’s military reportedly offered a bounty of about £50,000 (US$66,100) for the capture of the crew member alive. Iran has claimed responsibility for downing the U.S. F-15 fighter jet using its air defence system.

While the pilot was rescued shortly after the incident, the weapon systems officer had remained missing for more than a day before being located. The rescue comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, with both sides trading threats of further military action as strikes across the region continue. Earlier, President Trump warned that the United States would intensify strikes if Iran failed to agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours — an ultimatum Tehran has so far rejected. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.

[/paywall]