Military/ Aviation sources are citing supporting evidence that the unidentified two seater combat jet downed in Iran Wednesday was not the IRIAF Yak-130 as previously thought to be and the one close to the capital Tehran. The aviation sources after counter check claim that the jest was a USAF F-15 which was shot down in South West Iran, probably in the Arabic speaking Khuzestan province which borders south Iraq. The area close to the US rescue team bases, obviously the rescue mission did not warrant deep penetration into the Iranian mainland. This is a developing story, which has been separately authenticated by sources close to the warring parties.
Text of the Twitter Handle: After speaking to several direct sources, I now feel confident in reporting that an F-15E Strike Eagle with the U.S. Air Force crashed early Wednesday during a strike mission over Southwestern Iran. The cause of the crash is still unknown, though at least one source attributed it to Iranian air defenses, with both the Pilot and Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) able to successfully eject over Iran.
Following the crash, Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) elements with the U.S and Israeli Air Force – on standby in a neighboring country – were activated, entering Iran roughly an hour after the crash of the F-15. In the resulting operation, both crewmembers were found and safely evacuated without further incident, being transported to Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
The Pilot and WSO are claimed to suffered minor injuries but were in otherwise “good condition,” with both being airlifted for further treatment to Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.
Further confirmation and details of the incident are expected to come at a later time from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
