Search Continues for Crew Member of US Fighter Jet Downed by Iranian Attack

US military forces continue to search for a crew member from a fighter jet downed in an Iranian attack. Of the two American fighter pilots who ejected from aircrafts downed at separate locations in Iran, one crew member has been rescued, while the other reportedly ejected using the aircraft’s safety equipment. US media report that both American and Iranian military forces are engaged in ongoing efforts to locate the missing crew member.

CBS, citing US sources, told the BBC that a weapons systems officer from the US F-15 fighter jet, which was brought down in southern Iran, remains missing. The pilot of the aircraft has been rescued, but the weapons officer is still unaccounted for. US President Donald Trump declined to comment on rescue operations but stated that the incident would not affect negotiations with Iran.

Tehran has appealed to local residents to assist in locating the missing crew member. An announcement has been made offering a reward to anyone who finds the individual. It is reported that the US forces have placed a reward of $66,000 (approximately 1 crore Nepalese Rupees) for information leading to the safe recovery of the personnel.

Iranian media have also reported that another US A-10 Warthog aircraft was intercepted and forced to separate from its pilot over the Persian Gulf. According to US Central Command, six people died on March 12 after a US refueling plane collided with another aircraft in western Iraq.