One crew member of aU.S. fighter jet that went down in Iranamid the ongoing war has been rescued, according to a U.S. official.
The status of the plane's other crew member was unclear. A search and rescue operation to recover the crew began after the F-15E jet went down, according to multiple media reports. TheNew York Times,Reutersand other outlets reported on April 3 that Iran shot down the plane.
CBS News first reportedthe crew member's rescue.
An F-15E Strike Eagle jet carries two service members – a pilot and a weapons system officer. It is designed to strike targets both in the air and on the ground.
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Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Smoke rises following an explosion after the U.S. and Israel reportedly launched an attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026, in this screen grab taken from video." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital. Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
U.S. President Donald Trump pumps his fist after disembarking Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 27, 2026. Hours later, Trump made live comments about the military strikes he launched against Iran." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Buildings inin Tehran stand after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, February 28, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Latest photos capture US and Israeli strikes against Iran
Smoke rises following an explosion,after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026.
The war with Iran began Feb. 28 when the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on the country, killing its leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, within hours. Thirteen American service members have been confirmed dead in the war – seven killed in Iranian attacks on U.S. bases in the region and six when their KC-135 aircraft crashed in Iraq. More than 300 U.S. service members have been wounded.
More than 3,000 Iranians have been killed in the war, according toestimatesby a U.S.-based human rights group.
According to CENTCOM, the U.S. military has flown more than 13,000 combat flights, struck more than 12,300 targets and destroyed more than 155 Iranian vessels since the war began.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:1 crew member rescued after US F-15 fighter jet goes down in Iran
