An American crew member from a crashed F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet in Iran has been found, and frantic search and rescue efforts continue for the second crew member, multiple media outlets reported on April 3.
A second U.S. military plane crashed in the Persian Gulf region, and the sole pilot was rescued, multiple media outlets, including The New York Times and ABC News, reported.
The media reported, citing U.S. military officials, that the aircraft was an A-10 attack jet. The Department of Defense did not respond to requests for comment.
At least one crew member was able to escape after a multi-seater F-15 fighter jet was shot down by Iranian forces, according to multiple reports. One of the crew members was rescued inside Iran. The location and condition of the second crew member was unknown.
Iranian authorities told civilians to be on the lookout for survivors and posted a flood of images on social media showing the plane’s wreckage.
In addition to training pilots how to survive air crashes and avoid capture by enemy forces, the U.S. Air Force maintains an elite team of pararescuemen who specialize in pilot rescue.
Where did the F-15 jet crash?
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The red stripe and other markings on the tail of the aircraft match those of the 494th Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Wing, based at RAF Lakenheath, Military Times reported. However, the Guardian said it could not immediately confirm when and where the photo was taken.
The F-15 was the first U.S. manned aircraft to be shot down inside enemy territory during Operation Epic Fury, the Washington Post reported.
How to detect aircraft losses
Military aircraft crashes can be detected by loss of radio communications, radar contact, or visual confirmation by nearby aircraft.
Military aircraft are equipped with emergency locator beacons that are automatically transmitted after a crash or after the pilot ejects. Distress signals are detected by satellites, military aircraft, and other receivers. The signals help rescuers pinpoint the crash site.
What happens after an aircraft is reported lost?
Once a loss is confirmed, an operation called personnel recovery response begins immediately. The authorities will collect the best available information, including:
- location and terrain.
- Crew numbers and status.
- location of hostile forces.
This information helps the military decide whether a rescue is immediately possible, what methods to use, and which aircraft to send to rescue the crew.
The Air Force says pararescuemen, also known as PJs, are “the only elite combat force specifically organized, trained, equipped and poised” to conduct complete recovery operations using conventional and unconventional combat tactics.
What kind of rescue aircraft is used?
Rescue operations are carried out by multiple aircraft working together. The main aircraft used for rescue are:
- HH-60W: A long-range dedicated combat search and rescue helicopter.
- HC-130J: A command/control and support fixed-wing aircraft that can refuel helicopters in flight.
Rescue helicopters rarely fly unprotected during their missions. Other fighter jets and helicopters can be used to protect and support things like:
The rescued pilot will be immediately treated for his injuries and transported to a safe location.
How do U.S. Air Force pilots train for the possibility that their aircraft will be shot down or crashed?
All Air Force pilots undergo mandatory training in SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape). Its purpose is to ensure that if an air crew is shot down or involved in another emergency, they can survive, avoid capture, and return home.
Pilots undergo SERE training on a regular basis, especially before deployment. The 336th Training Group is home to the USAF’s SERE School at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington.
Contributed by Cybele Mays Osterman
SOURCE USA TODAY NETWORK REPORTS AND INVESTIGATIONS. Reuters; US Air Force. Lockheed Martin. military.com;military era
This story has been updated to add new information.
