First U.S. F15 jet shot down by enemy fire during Iran war—one pilot rescued

A U.S. F15 fighter jet was recently shot down over Iran, according to NBC News. One of two crew members was rescued by U.S. special forces, but the search continues for the second, the report notes.

Israeli and U.S. sources confirmed the details on Friday. The crew ejected safely after Iranian fire hit the plane, Axios reported.

According to both reports, Iran is currently hunting the crew, too. State media urged civilians to join. A reward is offered for tips, said an official on Iranian state television, NBC confirmed. One offer hit $60,000 equivalent. 

Rescue amid tense skies

Israel is providing aid with intelligence, even canceling its own strikes to help, per an Israeli official to Axios.

Iranian media broke the news first. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed the hit, as reported by NBC News. The report further confirmed that Nour News said a new air defense system struck it over central Iran.

Experts identified F-15 markings from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, said Peter Layton, a former Australian air force officer, to NBC News.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump was briefed, according to Axios. This marks the first U.S. jet downed by enemy fire in the war.

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Trump claimed U.S. dominance in a recent address. According to Axios, he said Iran's radar was destroyed and that U.S. strikes are unstoppable. The event raises doubts about those assertions.

Previous losses were friendly fire. Three F-15s fell to Kuwait early on. Thirteen Americans have died in the campaign as the war nears two months.