US Planes Shot Down by Iran 2026: F-15E and A-10 Downed, Crew Missing
Iran shot down two United States military aircraft on Friday, April 3, 2026 — an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet and an A-10 attack aircraft — in a dramatic escalation of the ongoing US-Iran war. One American service member has been rescued, while at least one remains missing as US search-and-rescue operations continue.
It marks the first time US aircraft have been lost in the conflict, which entered its fifth week, and comes just 48 hours after President Donald Trump declared in a national address that the US had "beaten and completely decimated Iran" and was "going to finish the job."
What Happened: Two Aircraft Down in the Same Day
The incidents unfolded separately on Friday. According to the Associated Press and CBS News live updates:
F-15E Strike Eagle: A US Air Force F-15E — a twin-seat aircraft carrying a pilot and weapons system officer — was shot down over Iranian territory. One crew member was rescued by American forces; a second is missing and a search-and-rescue operation is underway. The Pentagon notified the House Armed Services Committee that the status of the second service member was unknown.
A-10 Warthog: Iranian state media reported that a US A-10 attack aircraft was struck by Iranian air defense forces and crashed in the Persian Gulf.
Neither the White House nor the Pentagon released official public statements about the downed planes. In a brief call with NBC News, President Trump acknowledged the losses but said it would not change US strategy.
"No, not at all. No, it's war," Trump said when asked if the events would affect ongoing negotiations with Iran.
- Two US aircraft downed in a single day — an F-15E Strike Eagle and an A-10 Warthog
- First time US planes have been shot down in the current US-Iran war
- One crew member rescued; at least one is missing
- Incidents occurred approximately 5 weeks into the war
- Trump comments: events will "not affect" negotiations with Iran
- F-15E is a dual-seat Air Force jet carrying pilot and weapons system officer
The F-15E Strike Eagle: What It Is
The F-15E Strike Eagle is one of the US Air Force's premier multi-role fighters, capable of both air-to-air combat and ground attack. It's a two-seat variant of the F-15 Eagle, crewed by a pilot and a weapons system officer (WSO) seated behind them. The aircraft has been a workhorse of US air campaigns since the Gulf War and carries an emergency locator beacon that can activate automatically when a pilot ejects.
Alan Diehl, a former investigator for the Air Force Safety Center, noted that the survival kit's locator beacon can be set to activate automatically or manually — an important detail for the search-and-rescue mission now underway in Iran's mountainous terrain.
Iran's Escalation on Multiple Fronts
The downed aircraft were not isolated incidents. On the same day, Iran launched a broad series of attacks across the region:
Desalination plants have become a critical target in the war, as they provide the majority of drinking water for Gulf Arab states. Iran's sustained attacks on energy and water infrastructure — combined with its control of the Strait of Hormuz — have sent oil prices surging and rattled global markets.
Strait of Hormuz: The Economic Chokepoint
Iran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of the world's oil and natural gas transits in peacetime, has had cascading economic effects since the war began. Oil prices have skyrocketed, stock markets have been rattled across multiple continents, and the cost of basic goods — including food — is rising.
International Response
The incident is drawing immediate international attention. The French and South Korean governments announced they would work together on issues related to the Strait of Hormuz, signaling growing concern about the impact on global shipping and energy supply.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio separately accused China of "bullying" for holding up Panama-flagged ships following a recent canal clash — adding another dimension to the geopolitical tensions surrounding the conflict.
In Lebanon, where Israel has launched a ground invasion in its ongoing fight with Iranian-backed Hezbollah, the situation continued to deteriorate as Iran fired on additional targets across the broader Middle East region.
What's Next
The loss of two US aircraft in a single day is a significant psychological and strategic moment in the war, regardless of the military impact. For weeks, US and Israeli officials have insisted Iran's military capabilities have been "all but destroyed." Friday's events challenge that narrative.
Iran has previously made claims about shooting down piloted enemy aircraft during the conflict that turned out to be false. But Friday was notably different: Iranian state television urged citizens to look for a downed American pilot and promised a reward for anyone who found and handed over an "enemy pilot" — suggesting Iran is confident it has a live American airman on or near its soil.
The Pentagon has notified congressional oversight committees, and the story is developing rapidly. The status of the missing crew member — and how the US responds — will be closely watched in the coming hours.
This article is being updated as new information becomes available. Sources: Associated Press, CBS News.
