Israel has reportedly paused airstrikes in a region of Iran suspected of holding a downed US pilot, as search operations intensify. Today, the Wall Street Journal, citing an anonymous Israeli security official, reported that search efforts are concentrated in Khuzestan province, which borders Iraq and lies along the Persian Gulf. Tel Aviv, the official added, is prepared to assist Washington in rescuing the remaining pilot from the F-15E crew.
In parallel, Iranian officials announced their own search for the US pilot in the adjacent Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province. The Governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province dismissed reports of a US rescue as "untrue" and an "enemy tactic". An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) unit in the province also denied capturing the second crew member of the F-15E. Iranian state television channels are actively urging citizens to "capture the US pilot alive" and offering a reward exceeding 66,000 USD for their capture. Houston Cantwell, a retired US brigadier general with over 400 combat flight hours, suggested the pilot is likely evading capture according to standard training protocols. He shared, "my first priority would be to hide to avoid capture".
 |
Location of Khuzestan province (red) and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province (yellow). Graphics: Wikimedia |
The incident stems from 3/4, when US media, citing anonymous officials, confirmed that an F-15E multirole fighter jet was shot down and crashed in Iran. The two-person crew ejected, and while one person has been rescued, the whereabouts of the other pilot remain unknown. This marks the first manned US aircraft shot down over Iran since the conflict began.
Further escalating tensions, Iran later shot down a US A-10 attack aircraft providing support for the F-15E crew search operation. The A-10 pilot skillfully steered the aircraft out of Iranian airspace before ejecting and was successfully rescued. Additionally, two HH-60W search and rescue helicopters came under fire, injuring at least one US soldier, but managed to land safely.
Neither the Pentagon nor the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, has yet issued a public statement on these events. However, an email from the Pentagon, reviewed by the Associated Press (AP), confirmed the US military had been notified of "an aircraft shot down in the Middle East".
 |
US F-15E fighter jet participating in the 9/3 strike operation on Iran. Photo: USAF |
Over one month of conflict has seen the US military lose over 20 aircraft of various types. These losses include an E-3 Sentry early warning aircraft and an F-35A stealth fighter jet, primarily due to Iranian fire while parked at airfields. Air & Space Forces magazine, citing informed sources on 22/3, reported that the F-35A sustained severe damage after being hit by a missile over Iran, making its return to service unlikely in the near future. The pilot also suffered injuries from shrapnel.
Pham Giang (According to AP, WSJ, BBC)
