A US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran today, the first confirmed loss of a manned American aircraft to enemy fire since the war began. The jet belongs to the 494th Fighter Squadron, based at RAF Lakenheath, UK. Iranian state TV broadcast images of the wreckage, including tail fin markings matching the unit.

One of the two crew members was rescued alive by US forces and is receiving medical treatment. The search for the second continues in a race against time. In the southern province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, an HC-130J Combat King II was seen flying at ultra-low altitude, alongside a C-130 Hercules deploying flares and MH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters scouring the area.

Iran offered a bounty for civilians who capture the pilots alive. State TV broadcast a message urging citizens: “If you see them, detain them.” Unverified videos show Iranian civilians firing small arms at US rescue helicopters.

The shootdown directly contradicts what Trump said just two days ago in his national address: “They have no anti-aircraft equipment. Their radar is 100% annihilated. We are unstoppable as a military force.” This is the fourth F-15E lost in Operation Epic Fury, though the previous three were downed by friendly fire over Kuwait.