United States F-15C/E Fleet Update

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down by Iranian air defenses over Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province in southwest Iran during a strike sortie as part of Operation Epic Fury. The aircraft belonged to the 494th Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Wing, deployed from RAF Lakenheath, England. Iranian state media published wreckage photos showing tail markings with the "LN" tail code. Both crew members ejected but were separated on the ground. The pilot was recovered within hours by HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters. The weapons systems officer evaded Iranian forces for over a day, found a hide site, and established emergency communications. A special operations ground force was inserted on April 4, linked up with the WSO, and called in C-130 extraction aircraft. Two C-130s became stuck on landing and were destroyed in place; three replacement aircraft completed the extraction under fire. Both crew members survived. The incident marked the first confirmed U.S. manned aircraft loss to enemy fire in the Iran campaign.

Source: twz.com