U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle shot down over Iran. Second crew member missing and possibly captured

Iran shoots down a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle on April 3, 2026 — Day 35 of Operation Epic Fury — with one crew member rescued by U.S. forces and a second crew member missing, possibly captured by Iranian forces. During the search-and-rescue operation, a U.S. A-10 Thunderbolt II is struck over Iranian territory, the pilot ejects safely in Kuwaiti airspace, and the aircraft is lost. These are the first confirmed U.S. aircraft losses in Operation Epic Fury. The losses directly contradict Defense Secretary Hegseth's repeated public claims that the U.S. had achieved "dominance of Iranian skies." Iran offers a bounty for the missing crew member. Congress remains on recess and has not authorized the war; the War Powers Resolution 60-day clock expires approximately April 28.