Second US jet A-10 crashed in Gulf after F-15E crash, pilot rescued

The incident came as a US F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran, with one crew member rescued and search efforts ongoing for the second.

In Short

• Pilot rescued, cause of crash not disclosed by US officials
• Iran claims its air defence targeted the A-10, no US confirmation
• Incident follows US F-15E downing over Iran, one crew rescued

A second US Air Force combat aircraft crashed in the Persian Gulf region on Friday, with its lone pilot rescued, The New York Times reported, citing two US officials.

According to the report, based on accounts from officials speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss operational matters, the aircraft was identified as a Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, commonly known as the A-10 Warthog. The jet went down near the Strait of Hormuz, though officials did not provide details on the cause of the crash or the exact circumstances.

Iranian state media, however, claimed that its air defence system had targeted an “enemy” A-10 aircraft in southern waters near the Strait of Hormuz. There was no immediate confirmation of this claim from US officials.

US F-15E CRASHED OVER IRAN

The incident follows the downing of a US F-15E Strike Eagle over Iran, in which one crew member was rescued while search efforts remain ongoing for the second.

One of the two has since been rescued, according to US and Israeli officials. However, accounts regarding the second crew member vary, with some media reports claiming he is in Iranian custody while others suggest that search efforts are still underway.

IRAN GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES REWARD FOR KILLING US PILOT

After Tehran claimed it had shot down a US F-15E fighter jet, the governor of the south-western Iranian province announced that anyone who captures or kills the American pilot, who is reported to have ejected during the crash, would be commended by the authorities.

Earlier, an Iranian channel also announced rewards for civilians who capture the pilot alive and hand them over to authorities, and also urged public participation in shooting down aircraft.

The developments come amid heightened tensions in the region. Days earlier, US President Donald Trump had said in a national address that the United States had “beaten and completely decimated Iran” and was “going to finish the job very fast.”

Iran’s actions in the Gulf, including threats to energy infrastructure and its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for roughly a fifth of global oil and gas supplies, have unsettled markets, pushed up oil prices and raised concerns about rising costs for basic goods.

The loss of US aircraft in the region could signal increased pressure on American forces, marking a notable shift in the trajectory of the conflict.

Iran has previously made claims about downing piloted aircraft that were not substantiated. However, in a departure from earlier instances, state media on Friday urged the public to search for a suspected downed pilot.

According to US Central Command, 13 US military service members have been killed in the conflict so far, with more than 300 wounded. No US troops have been taken prisoner by Iran.

- Ends