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US Rescues Second F-15 Crew Member Alive After Iran Downing

U.S. Special Forces have successfully rescued the second F-15 crew member alive after the jet was downed by Iran. The rescue operation remains in progress as officials state the crew member is "not safe" yet, aiming for full exfiltration. During search operations, Iranian tribesmen opened fire on American helicopters, an action later praised by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. U.S. President Donald Trump declined to specify potential responses if the airman was harmed, while Iranian authorities had offered bounties for the individual's capture.

Key Points: US Rescues Missing F-15 Crew Member in Iran: Report

  • Second crew member rescued alive
  • Rescue operation still in progress
  • Iranian tribesmen fired on US helicopters
  • IRGC praised tribal groups
  • Trump withheld details on potential US response
2 min read

US rescues missing F-15 crew member, say officials: Report

US Special Forces rescue second F-15 crew member alive after Iran downed the jet. Operation ongoing amid clashes with Iranian tribesmen.

"God willing, he will be found. - Bakhtiari tribesman in search video"

Washington DC, April 5

The United States Special Forces have rescued the second F-15 crew member alive, who went missing after Iran downed the jet amid the West Asia conflict, Axios reported, citing government officials.

According to the report, three US government officials told Axios about the successful rescue mission.

Citing a US government official, Al Jazeera reported that the rescue operation is still in progress as the F-15 crew member is "not safe" yet. US Special Forces aim to successfully exfiltrate from Iran and get back to safety.

Both the US and Iran were conducting search operations for the missing crew member. During the search operations, Iranian tribesmen reportedly opened fire on American helicopters, according to CNN.

The incident occurred in the isolated highlands of the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces, as well as the Bakhtiari region, where local groups targeted two Black Hawk helicopters on Saturday, as detailed by Iran's Fars News Agency.

Following the confrontation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) praised the tribal groups, describing them as "courageous, valiant and victorious guardians of the borders," as per reports cited by CNN.

This followed the release of footage on Friday allegedly depicting nomadic Bakhtiari tribesmen armed with rifles patrolling the mountainous terrain of Iran's Khuzestan province in search of the American personnel. In the video, one of the individuals is heard saying, "God willing, he will be found."

To further incentivise the search, Iranian authorities had reportedly announced substantial financial bounties for the successful capture of the missing individual.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump withheld details regarding the potential US response should a missing crew member, forced to eject over Iran, be harmed or captured, The Independent reported.

The President declined to specify a course of action during a brief telephone interview on Friday. When questioned by The Independent about the measures he might take if the airman is mistreated by Iranian forces, Trump stated, "Well, I can't comment on it because we hope that's not going to happen."

In latest development in the situation in West Asia, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have destroyed the MQ-9 Reaper drone in the central city of Isfahan, according to the Fars news agency.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
The report says the crew member is "not safe" yet. It sounds like the mission is still ongoing and very dangerous. Those tribal groups opening fire on helicopters... it's a reminder that local dynamics are often the most unpredictable factor in these conflicts.
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Vikram M
Financial bounties announced by Iran? This is turning into a real-life thriller. But jokes aside, this is serious business. The US operating deep inside Iran for a rescue is a huge risk. One wrong move and we could see a major flare-up. India's diplomatic channels with both sides will be crucial in calming things down.
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Priya S
Respect to the special forces for going in to get their man. No soldier left behind. But I have to ask, what was the F-15 doing there in the first place? These constant confrontations are destabilizing the entire region. We need peace, not more proxy conflicts.
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Rohit P
The IRGC calling tribesmen "victorious guardians of the borders" is classic propaganda. The whole situation is a mess. Just hoping it doesn't spill over and affect oil prices again. Petrol is already too expensive! 🛢️
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Michael C
The article mentions the downing of an MQ-9 Reaper as well. The technological warfare aspect is intense. It's a reminder of how advanced these conflicts have become, but at the end of the day, it's still about people on the ground trying to survive.

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