US Air Force F-15E Fighter Jet Shot Down over Iranian Territory
Iranian air defense systems shot down a United States Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet inside Iran's airspace on April 3, 2026. This incident marks the first loss of a manned American combat aircraft to enemy fire during Operation Epic Fury. While one crew member was successfully rescued by U.S. special operations forces, a second crew member remains missing. Iranian authorities have reportedly offered a bounty for the capture of the remaining pilot.