Second U.S. F-15E Crew Member Rescued After Downing Over Iran

The second crew member from a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet, downed over Iran two days ago, has been rescued. The aircraft was shot down on Friday. President Donald J. Trump announced the recovery on Truth Social, stating, "WE GOT HIM."

U.S. special forces conducted the rescue operation amid a heavy firefight, according to U.S. officials cited by Al Jazeera. The rescued individual is the weapons systems officer (WSO). Trump noted that the WSO sustained injuries but will be fine.

Multiple outlets, including Axios, Fox News, and Bloomberg, reported the rescue based on U.S. official sources. Al Jazeera confirmed the WSO's recovery but emphasized that the operation is ongoing. Officials added that the crew is not yet safe, as successful exfiltration from Iran remains necessary.

The F-15E, a two-seat fighter jet, carried a pilot and WSO. The first crew member was rescued earlier. No contradictions appear in reports regarding the initial downing or the sequence of rescues.

The incident occurred during unspecified U.S. military activities over Iran. Details on the cause of the shootdown, such as the responsible party or circumstances, were not provided in available sources. Iranian authorities have not issued statements on the event in the referenced reports.

This rescue follows heightened U.S.-Iran tensions, though specific context for the flight remains undisclosed. The operation's success underscores U.S. special forces capabilities in hostile territory. Further updates on the crew's status and broader implications are pending official confirmation.