Posted on 04/03/2026 8:58:49 AM PDT by MeanWestTexan
American officials confirmed that an American fighter jet was shot down in Iran, the New York Times reported today (Friday). Since this morning, Arab and Iranian media outlets have reported heavy traffic of helicopters and low-altitude refueling planes in the Khuzestan province area in southwestern Iran, claiming that they are trying to locate a pilot or two pilots of an F-15 plane, which was allegedly shot down this morning in central Iran. According to an Israeli source, one of the American crew members who was shot down in Iran was rescued alive.
The plane that was shot down is an F15, even though this morning Iran claimed to have shot down an F35. In footage purportedly from Iran, the "remains of the plane" and the pilot's ejection seat were seen, which was found on the ground. These photos also have no official confirmation. A senior American official confirmed to Reuters that an extensive search is currently underway for survivors from the team.
The semi-official Iranian news agency ISNA reported that the governor of Iran's southwestern province said that anyone who captures or kills the crew of the overturned American plane will receive a commendation from the province. According to additional reports, a cash reward of approximately $60,000 was offered for the crew members' escape from the downed plane.
In addition, Arab media outlets claim that an American Black Hawk helicopter crashed in the border area between Iran and Iraq as part of the search. At this time, the reports have no confirmation from the US military or American media outlets.
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LORD, please let them find the other crew member, in the mighty Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
As a former rotary guy, I’m worried about the blackhawk crew.
Sounds like BS, but you never know.
This should cost Iran the town the MANPADS was fired from.
If the pilot waited 5 seconds at 500mph, that would put ~ 3/4 mile between them. Then it becomes a matter of altitude and wind as to how far apart they landed from each other.
You (and everyone else, especially the media) assumes it was a missile, which is a large assumption.
F15s are old planes. They hit birds. The fuels system breaks. The canopy flies off for no apparent reason.
Lots of things happen.
SERE training + Rescue teams = strong chance of positive outcome.
“If one crew member has been rescued, the other can’t be too far away.”
If he (or she) didn’t get killed during ejection. Happens more than is comfortable.
Also, the system is interlinked, so when one seat initiates ejection, it triggers the entire sequence for both crew members automatically. The other person does not have to pull his or her handle.
There is a delay between the two, but its a fraction of a second.
US F-15s are “based on” a 50-year-old design, with initial models flying in 1972. However, the U.S. Air Force continues to operate highly upgraded, modern versions, including the new F-15EX Eagle II, which is designed for longevity and acts as a “missile truck” with advanced digital systems.
Key details about F-15 longevity and modernization:Design & Age: The F-15 entered service in 1976 and was designed as an air superiority fighter, with the original design now reaching 50 years old.
The New F-15EX: While old in design, the F-15EX Eagle II is newly manufactured, featuring a digital cockpit, updated radar (APG-82), and high-capacity weapon capabilities (up to 12 missiles).Service Life: The latest F-15EX variants are designed for a 20,000-hour airframe life, meaning they could stay in service through 2055.
Role Change: While the older F-15C/D models are being retired, the newer F-15E Strike Eagles and EX variants are used for advanced strike missions and as “missile trucks” to complement stealth fighters like the F-35.
Retirement Status: The active-duty USAF began phasing out the last of the older F-15C/D models in early 2025, moving toward a fleet composed of F-15EX and F-35s.Although considered 4th or 4.5 generation, the F-15’s superior speed, payload, and ability to carry modern weapons make it a crucial component of the US fleet, with a perfect 104-0 combat record.
Put this a-hole's name on a missile and on the kill list now.
Prayers up, and God Bless and protect all of our courageous troops!
.
I had heard we were actually refueling aircraft in the Iranian airspace, which I took to mean they no longer can fire SAMs against aircraft at that altitude (greater than 20,000 feet, which refueling operations generally take place at) because they simply don’t have any more.
By the way, that is what happened in Operation Linebacker II in North Vietnam in 1972 when we sent B-52s against Hanoi, Haiphong, and other targets in North Vietnam. I recall the Communists shot down 15 B-52s, but they ran out of SAMs, and could not bring new ones in from Haiphong since we mined the harbor. So, at that point they were defenseless, and we were able to bomb at will. That was when they was when they agreed to come back to the bargaining table, and the “Peace Treaty” was signed in January. Of course, like the current Iranian regime, that treaty was only as valid as the cost of the ink to write it on the paper, as we soon saw.
But if this F-15 was indeed taken down by a MANPAD, that highlights a danger I am sure our pilots are very aware of. Down below 10,000 feet someone can get a lucky shot at you.
NOT BUYING THIS
LOL. You actually believe the stuff you post?
More anonymous “trusted advisors” according to the Washington Post.
It’s all horse crap. But we do have the usual Freeper suspects pushing this on Free Republic as if it were God’s truth.
(Not saying you are one of them...)
😥🙏
Amen.
Big time.
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