A missing U.S. Air Force F‑15E Strike Eagle weapons systems officer has reportedly been recovered after ejecting over Iran on Friday, April 3.
According to journalist Jack Murphy, the officer had been evading capture on the ground as Iranian forces searched the area, with the report highlighting a “massive firefight” at the recovery site.
Murphy, a former U.S. Army Special Operations veteran who served as a Sniper and Team Leader in the 3rd Ranger Battalion and as a Senior Weapons Sergeant on a military free-fall team in the 5th Special Forces Group, said in a statement on X that American forces rescued the pilot after hours of pursuit by Iranian security forces.
“Good news for once,” the military commentator wrote. “F‑15 WSO recovered alive. Was escaping and evading. Massive firefight on target. Iranians were actively looking for him in the area.”
Missing United States F-15E pilot reportedly recovered
Orwell Prize-winning war correspondent Toby Harnden, on his part, reported that the missing F-15E weapons systems officer is safe and back in American hands.
Harnden, a former Royal Navy officer and author, who reported from 33 countries, including Baghdad and Jerusalem, for The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Times, said in a statement on X that the WSO has been recovered alive.
Citing an officer involved in monitoring the rescue who reportedly described the ordeal, he reported that the missing American soldier vaded up a 7,000-foot ridge.
U.S. representative for Nebraska’s 2nd congressional district, Donald John Bacon, is among Republican politicians who have reacted to the reports.
The retired military officer said the “reports of the second USAF aircrew member rescued is an answer to all our prayers.”
“I honor the bravery of our search and rescue teams and our special forces. I hope no casualties. And I salute the F-15E Weapon Systems Officer who put their survival skills to work in a very dangerous and harrowing situation,” Bacon posted.
U.S. representative for New York’s 21st congressional district, Elise Marie Stefanik, also reacted:
“The breaking reports of the safe rescue of the F-15 WSO are a profound relief to every American. God Bless this brave servicemember who evaded capture in the most challenging circumstances, and God bless the special operations forces who put their lives on the line for this dangerous rescue mission.”
However, there had been no official confirmation by the Pentagon on the reported recovery by the time of publication.
A U.S. official has since confirmed to Al Jazeera that the second crew member from the downed F-15E has been recovered after a “heavy firefight,” but the rescue operation is ongoing as teams attempt to safely exfiltrate from Iran.
The official reportedly said that the rescue operation is still in progress. According to the report, the crew member has not left Iranian territory, and because of the ongoing hostilities, there could still be danger to that person and to other people involved in that rescue effort.
Reuters also reported that it has been told by U.S. officials that American forces have rescued the second crew member of a downed F-15 fighter jet in Iran.
On Friday, the other pilot was rescued after the F-15E Strike Eagle became the first plane to be downed over Iran during the five-week-long war.
Soldier goes missing
This follows a tense 48 hours in southwestern Iran, where traffic jams formed as civilians reportedly rushed to help security forces capture the downed American pilot.
Iranian military officials had urged residents to stay away from the area and offered rewards for information leading to the pilot’s capture.
Crowds of curious Iranians allegedly rushed to a village near Koohdasht to see the downed American F-15 pilot barricaded in a house. The U.S. Air Force reportedly hit them with airstrikes, leaving dozens wounded, with families rushing to the hospital.
Also Read: $60K Offered for Missing U.S. F-15 Pilot as Rescued Airman’s Status Emerges
Earlier, two U.S. military helicopters involved in search‑and‑rescue operations were struck by Iranian fire but managed to leave Iranian airspace and land safely, according to U.S. officials cited by NBC News.
All service members aboard were unharmed. The helicopters were part of a mission to recover crew members from the F‑15E shot down on Friday.
Reports from Iranian and U.S. outlets suggested an anti‑aircraft missile targeted at least one Black Hawk helicopter during the operation.
Social media footage showed low‑flying American aircraft, including Black Hawks and a C‑130 Hercules, conducting search patterns in southwestern Iran.
Rewards offered
Iranian state media has urged civilians to capture “enemy pilots,” raising fears that the missing crew member could fall into Iranian hands. Rewards offered by local officials and businesspeople added to the pressure on U.S. forces to complete the rescue quickly.
The recovery comes amid broader escalation. Iranian outlets claimed responsibility for shooting down a U.S. A‑10 Warthog near the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, though the claim has not been independently verified.
Also Read: Iran Launches Simultaneous Targeted Strikes Against Israel Amid 48‑hour Ultimatum
U.S. officials confirmed an A‑10 had crashed in the Gulf region, with its pilot rescued, but did not attribute the loss to hostile fire.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum, warning that “all hell will rain down” on Iran if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened by Monday.
In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to make a deal or open up the Hormuz Strait. Time is running out — 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!”
The ultimatum comes as U.S. and Israeli strikes continue to hit Iranian civilian infrastructure, universities, and petrochemical plants, with casualties mounting.
Kuwait has also reported drone and missile attacks on government and oil sector complexes, while its air defenses intercepted multiple incoming threats.
