F-15 crew rescue vitally important in dramatic race to find missing air ace

F-15 crew rescue vitally important in dramatic race to find missing air ace A massive search and rescue hunt is under way against the clock to find air crew member whose warplane came down over Iran - after Tehran regime slapped a bounty on the flyersCommentsNewsChris Hughes Defence and Security Editor19:01, 03 Apr 2026View 5 ImagesF-15 Strike Eagle of the kind downed over Iran(Image: Loop Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)A DRAMATIC against-the-clock rescue mission was under way last night (FRI) in a desperate hunt to find a remaining crew member downed over Iran. US forces are understood to have successfully rescued one flyer in a daring operation after the F-15 was shot down whilst over Iran.‌Last night (FRI) it was believed a recovery or search and rescue mission for the other flyer was still underway. Sources said it was vital to have rescued the one crew member as they may be able to shed light on their missing comrade.‌One source told the Mirror: “The rescued crew member may have been injured or at the very least very shaken by the experience. "During ejection it is very possible they received some kind of back injury due to the pressure on the human body when you choose to leave the plane."‌READ MORE: Gulf war escalation as Iran defies Donald Trump surrender demandsREAD MORE: British RAF Regiment troops blow Iran killer drones out of the skies in horror attackView 5 ImagesUS F-15 fighter bomber at RAF Lakenheath, UK(Image: AFP via Getty Images)The source added: “You are effectively shot out of your position by pulling the pin on an explosive charge and rocket system under your seat which blows you outwards.“Depending on what state the rescued and living crew member was in they may have shed light on the whereabouts of the other and whether they are still alive.‌“This may switch the urgency of the rescue mission if it is a recovery operation rather than racing to get to someone who is seriously injured or in danger of being captured ali...