What happened
A US F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran on Friday. The two-person crew ejected. US special forces rescued the pilot via helicopter from Iranian territory.
The weapons system officer has not been found. The search continues as of Saturday morning.
Why it matters: This is the first US combat aircraft downed by enemy fire since an A-10 was lost over Baghdad in April 2003.
Second aircraft hit
A separate A-10 Warthog was struck by Iranian fire on the same day. The pilot ejected over the Persian Gulf and was recovered by the US Navy.
The rescue helicopter carrying the F-15 pilot was hit by small arms fire during extraction. Crew members were wounded but the aircraft landed safely.
What we know about the conflict
The Iran campaign is now in its sixth week. According to US Central Command, American forces have flown more than 13,000 missions and struck over 12,300 targets.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for both shootdowns. Iranian state television offered a reward for the capture of US pilots and urged viewers to fire on any American aircraft overhead.
Context
CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said on Thursday that Iranian air and missile defence systems had “largely been destroyed.” The shootdowns occurred less than 24 hours later.
Retired General Houston Cantwell told AP the incidents were not surprising. “The fact that this hasn’t happened until now is an absolute miracle,” he said.
The US has lost at least 16 MQ-9 Reaper drones over Iran since the conflict began, and three F-15s were destroyed in a friendly fire incident over Kuwait earlier in the campaign.
What happens next
President Trump has issued a Monday deadline for Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s closure of the strait has increased US petrol prices by 37% since the war began.
Senator Lindsey Graham said he “totally” supports striking Iranian energy sites if the deadline is not met.