A US F-15E fighter jet was shot down over Iran on Friday, and American forces later rescued one crew member, US officials confirmed to CBS News.
The F-15E operates with a two-member crew, and efforts are ongoing to locate the second crew member, a weapons system officer, is continuing, two US officials said, reports CBS.
According to the officials, Iranian forces brought down the aircraft, prompting a combat search-and-rescue operation shortly afterwards.
During the mission, an A-10 Warthog came under fire and sustained damage. Its pilot ejected over the Persian Gulf and was successfully recovered, officials added.
Two helicopters joined the operation and managed to retrieve the F-15E pilot who had ejected, officials said.
The helicopter carrying the rescued pilot was struck by small arms fire, leaving crew members on board wounded.
Despite the attack, the aircraft landed safely. All service members are receiving initial medical treatment and will be transferred for further care.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard claimed it shot down a US fighter jet over central Iran on Friday morning. Images and footage circulating on social media, and shared by Iranian state media, indicated that at least one US C-130 aircraft and two Black Hawk helicopters were flying at low altitude over central and south-western Iran in what was described as an operation to locate and recover the crew.
