US fighter jet hit over southern Iran, search underway for crew
US pilot ejected after fighter jet hit, Iran says
A US fighter pilot was ejected from their aircraft after it was hit over southwestern Iran, a local channel of Iranian state television said. LiveNOW's Josh Breslow breaks down the latest details with Kevin Miller, a retired U.S. Navy Captain.
Two U.S. fighter pilots were ejected from their aircraft after it was hit over southern Iran Friday, according to Iranian state-affiliated media.
What we know:
FILE - Four U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles sit positioned on the runway during exercise Marauder Shield 26.1 within an undisclosed location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. (Handout photo by Staff Sgt. Tylin Rust
U.S. Central Command has several task forces set up near Iran in the event they need to execute a search and rescue for American troops that may be shot down, according to a New York Times report.
An anchor on Iran state broadcast reportedly read a statement on TV calling on local residents to capture the "enemy's pilot or pilots" and turn them alive in to security forces.
In return, a reward was offered for the pilot or pilots capture, according to the Times.
The aircraft was identified as an Air Force F-15E fighter jet, according to U.S. officials.
What they're saying:
One U.S. official told Reuters that a search was underway for any survivors but didn't provide any further details.
What we don't know:
It is unclear what happened to the aircraft’s crew.
Thousands of US troops sent to Middle East
By the numbers:
Earlier this week, the U.S. sent thousands of more troops aboard the USS George H.W. Bush, as well as three destroyers, to the Middle East.
The carrier strike group consists of more than 6,000 sailors.
While the majority of those troops are part of a rotation of forces planned before the war, some are among roughly 1,500 paratroopers the Trump administration decided to surge into the region last week.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from The Associated Press and reporting by The New York Times and Reuters. This story was reported from San Jose.