Two U.S. Military Aircraft Shot Down in One Day, Two Helicopters Hit
Xinhua News Agency, Tehran/Washington, April 3 - Iran announced on the 3rd that it had shot down a U.S. military fighter jet and an attack aircraft. The U.S. confirmed that American forces rescued one fighter pilot and are searching for another pilot. U.S. media reported that the attack aircraft had crashed, and its pilot was rescued; additionally, two U.S. helicopters involved in the rescue were hit by Iran, injuring the crew members.
Earlier that day, a U.S. Air Force F-15E "Strike Eagle" dual-seat fighter jet was shot down over Iran. According to media from Gulf countries, at least two HH-60 "Pave Hawk" rescue helicopters, one HC-130J "Combat King II" long-range search and rescue aircraft providing air refueling for the former, and one MQ-9 "Reaper" drone entered Iranian territory to conduct the rescue, locating and rescuing one pilot who ejected. The whereabouts of the other pilot remain unknown, and the search is ongoing.
Israel's public broadcasting company reported that Israel provided intelligence to the U.S. to help locate the pilot, and the fighter jet was shot down in Khuzestan province, which borders Iraq in western Iran. The Israeli military suspended airstrikes in the relevant areas during this time.
According to a report by CBS News citing U.S. officials, including the helicopter carrying the rescued pilot, two helicopters were fired upon by Iranian ground light weapons while returning, resulting in several crew members sustaining minor injuries. Both helicopters ultimately landed safely.
The Iranian military stated that on the same day, Iranian air defense forces also shot down a U.S. A-10 "Warthog" attack aircraft in the airspace near the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. media reported that this single-seat aircraft was hit while providing support for the aforementioned rescue operation, and the pilot managed to fly the damaged aircraft to Kuwaiti airspace, ejected, and the aircraft crashed.
Some U.S. media pointed out that the U.S. military lost two aircraft in one day, less than 48 hours after President Trump claimed in a nationwide televised address that the military operations against Iran had achieved a "rapid, decisive, and overwhelming victory."
In early March, three "Strike Eagle" fighter jets of the U.S. military crashed in Kuwait after being "accidentally shot down by friendly forces," with all six pilots surviving.
On April 3, Iran shot down a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle and an A-10 Warthog, resulting in one pilot being rescued and another missing. Two U.S. helicopters involved in the rescue were also hit by Iranian fire, injuring crew members. The incidents occurred in Khouzestan Province, Iran, and follow recent U.S. military operations in the region.
- Iran announced the downing of a U.S. fighter and attack aircraft on April 3.
- One pilot was rescued while another remains missing.
- Two U.S. helicopters involved in the rescue were hit by Iranian ground fire, injuring crew members.
- An A-10 Warthog was shot down while supporting the rescue operation, with the pilot ejecting safely.
- This incident occurred shortly after U.S. President Trump's declaration of a decisive victory over Iran.