US HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter struck while searching for F-15 pilot in Iran
April 3, 2026
Iran has shot down a US Air Force F-15 fighter jet over its southern coast. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shared photos of the wreckage of the ‘enemy jet,’ which it first claimed was an F-35.
But the photographs identified the jet as a US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle from RAF Lakenheath in the UK. The United States began search and rescue operations for the two crew from the fighter jet, and reportedly located the first one, the pilot, a few hours later.
The search for the Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) is ongoing, with at least one A-10, two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, an HC-130J Combat King II and one RQ-9 drone involved in the operation.
However, one of the Pave Hawks appears to have been struck by Iranian fire, with photographs emerging of the helicopter with black smoke trailing behind. The crew is understood to be safe.
US HH-60 Pave Hawk downed while on search and rescue mission
As videos emerged online of US aerial assets flying low over Iran, just as many videos began to pop up showing Iranian tribespeople taking aim at the incoming aircraft with shotguns and pistols.
Footage shows small-arms fire reportedly targeting U.S. rescue aircraft over Iran, deployed after an F‑15E Strike Eagle was shot down. https://t.co/l5bJZYovKN pic.twitter.com/LhNwlKeRIN
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) April 3, 2026
Under normal circumstances, the Pave Hawk would shrug off a bullet from a handgun. Based on the UH-60 Black Hawk, the Pave Hawk is the US Air Force’s primary combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopter, designed to fly deep into hostile territory and extract personnel.
Both the UH-60 and HH-60 have selective hardening, although the UH-60’s armour is modular and removable. The Pave Hawk, however, is built to take fire, with consistent and extensive armouring to cockpit and cabin, as well as self-sealing fuel tanks and shielded hydraulics.
But at low altitudes, the Pave Hawk becomes vulnerable. Whether it took a hit from small arms or MANPADS is unknown, but either way, the strike was not catastrophic. Information suggests that the aircraft returned to base and that the crew are safe, although CENTCOM has not confirmed any reports about the helicopter as yet.
Insane footage of Iranian police officers wielding automatic rifles opening firing on U.S. Air Force HH-60G “Pave Hawk” Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Helicopters flying low earlier today over Southern Iran, during the search for the crewmembers of an American F-15E Strike Eagle… pic.twitter.com/LKIFdM5nQJ
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 3, 2026
Possible A-10 Warthog crash adds up to three aircraft damaged in one day
According to the New York Times, citing US officials, another aircraft was lost in an unrelated incident today.
An A-10 Warthog, on operations near the Strait of Hormuz, is reported to have crashed. The sole pilot has already been rescued safely, although no further details have been shared.
The A-10 was known to be in use around the Strait, hunting Iranian fast boats that could pose a threat to shipping traffic. However, other Warhogs have been spotted providing close air support to aerial assets deeper into Iran, too.
Iran places a bounty on the second F-15E pilot
The Iranian government has placed a bounty on the pilot, issuing a statement via the Fars News Agency: “Whoever captures an American pilot alive will receive a valuable reward.”
BREAKING: The Islamic regime of Iran has placed a bounty on the pilot and weapons systems operator of the downed U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle of the 494th Fighter Squadron in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, deep inside Iranian territory.
— Babak Taghvaee – The Crisis Watch (@BabakTaghvaee1) April 3, 2026
They are offering a reward to… pic.twitter.com/KpWn60j7wS
According to reports, the bounty is around 80 billion rial, which is about $60,000.
Aircraft wreckage shows F-15E shot down over Iran
The IRGC initially laid claim to shooting down an F-35 over southern Iran. Indeed, some Iranian news outlets are persisting with the F-35 claim, even though photographs appear to disprove that.
Photos of the wreckage show aircraft debris, including parts of a vertical stabiliser. Markings visible in the imagery suggest the aircraft could be an F-15E Strike Eagle linked to the 494th Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath in the UK.
However, the origin of the images and their connection to any recent incident have not been independently confirmed.
Later, images of an ejector seat in a desert environment emerged. The seat appears to be consistent with the ACES II seat often used in the F-15E.
A McDonnell-Douglas ACES II (Advanced Concept Ejection Seat) from a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle has been found by residents in Southern Iran, the whereabouts or status of the pilot and weapons officer is currently unknown, with unconfirmed reports that one or both of the… pic.twitter.com/V0KMonfQiv
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 3, 2026
The US has not confirmed the incident, although the Washington Post says officials told the publication it did occur, and that search and rescue operations are ongoing.
Iranian media reports indicate that at least one of the pilots has been captured; however, that is not confirmed or corroborated by the US.
Search and rescue mission to find F-15 pilots underway
Over the past few hours, numerous videos have emerged of US aircraft conducting what looks like deep search and rescue (SAR) activities within Iran.
At least one A-10, two MH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, an HC-130J Combat King II and one RQ-9 drone have been spotted as being involved in the operation. A daylight SAR operation such as this suggests it is of the utmost importance to locate and retrieve the personnel.
Wild footage of a U.S. Air Force HC-130J “Combat King II” Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Aircraft flying low over the countryside of Southern Iran while refueling a pair of MH-60G “Pave Hawk” Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Helicopters earlier this morning, as the search… pic.twitter.com/ROiBsWjWQs
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 3, 2026
Iran has not responded militarily to any of the US aerial activity today, despite these being somewhat easier targets than the F-15E. That suggests it is not interested in taking the aerial war into its regions, and is almost inviting the ground operation to begin.
CENTCOM maintains no US aircraft have been shot down
Despite compelling evidence out of Iran and media claims of confirmation from senior officials, the official line from CENTCOM remains that no US aircraft have been shot down during the current conflict.
🚫 CLAIM: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says it downed an "enemy" fighter jet over Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 2, 2026
✅ FACT: All U.S. fighter aircraft are accounted for. Iran's IRGC has made the same false claim at least half a dozen times. pic.twitter.com/bN7HJdLxEr
The situation is further complicated by earlier, confirmed losses under unrelated circumstances. In a previous incident, three US Air Force F-15E aircraft were shot down in a friendly fire episode involving a Kuwaiti F/A-18, with all crew members ejecting safely.
While some analysts have suggested today’s wreckage images could be, in fact, from that incident, the SAR operations suggest otherwise. As yet, CENTCOM and the Pentagon have not issued any official statements on any of the day’s events.
Featured image: USAF
