The U.S. military pressed ahead Saturday with a high-stakes search-and-rescue operation for a missing American airman after Iran shot down a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet on Friday, while Iranian state media urged citizens in rugged southwestern provinces to hunt for the “enemy pilot” and hand him over alive in exchange for a “precious prize.”
F-15E Strike Eagle
The incident marked the first confirmed loss of a U.S. manned aircraft over Iranian territory since the conflict between the United States and Iran escalated nearly six weeks ago. One of the two crew members aboard the two-seat F-15E was rescued by U.S. special forces in a daring operation, but the status of the second service member — believed to be the weapons systems officer — remained unknown as of early Saturday, U.S. officials told lawmakers and reporters.
Iranian forces also claimed to have struck a second U.S. aircraft, an A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack plane near the Strait of Hormuz, though its pilot was reported rescued. U.S. officials confirmed two aircraft were hit in separate incidents Friday but provided limited details, citing operational security during the ongoing search.
The downing occurred in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, a mountainous and sparsely populated area in southwestern Iran near the border with Iraq. Iranian state television affiliates broadcast images of what appeared to be aircraft wreckage and debris, while a local channel in the province aired an urgent appeal to residents.
“If you capture the enemy pilot or pilots alive and hand them over to the police, you will receive a precious prize,” an anchor declared on air Friday, according to multiple reports. An on-screen crawl earlier urged viewers to “shoot them if you see them,” referring to circulating footage of U.S. aircraft. It was the first time Iranian media publicly mobilized civilians in the search for a downed U.S. airman.
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U.S. Central Command and the Pentagon have not released the identities of the crew members, citing family privacy and security concerns. The rescued crew member was undergoing medical evaluation, sources said. Search efforts involved combat search-and-rescue teams, helicopters and supporting aircraft, with reports that two Black Hawk helicopters involved in the operation came under enemy fire but safely exited Iranian airspace.
The episode comes amid broader U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure, nuclear sites and missile capabilities as part of what the Trump administration has described as efforts to degrade Tehran’s ability to threaten the region. President Donald Trump has warned of continued pressure but has not detailed specific responses to the aircraft losses.
Pentagon officials notified the House Armed Services Committee that the status of the second service member from the F-15E was unknown. The notification underscored the gravity of the situation, as the war — now in its sixth week — has already resulted in American casualties, with earlier reports citing at least 15 U.S. troops killed and hundreds wounded in related regional actions.
Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf mocked the U.S. on social media, writing that the American campaign had shifted from ambitions of “regime change” to pleas of “Hey! Can anyone find our pilots?” Iranian military officials claimed the downing demonstrated strengthened air defenses despite weeks of strikes.
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Military experts noted the challenges of combat search and rescue (CSAR) in hostile territory. Retired pilots and analysts described how downed aviators are trained in survival, evasion, resistance and escape (SERE) techniques, including hiding in rugged terrain, signaling for help and avoiding capture. The southwestern Iranian landscape — with its mountains, valleys and limited infrastructure — could complicate both U.S. recovery efforts and Iranian searches.
Retired Air Force officers emphasized that time is critical. Crew members carry survival kits, radios and signaling devices, but exposure to elements, injury from ejection and pursuit by enemy forces heighten risks. In past conflicts, such as the 1991 Gulf War or operations in Afghanistan, CSAR missions have sometimes involved ground teams inserting deep behind lines, supported by overhead cover from fighter jets and drones.
U.S. forces have conducted numerous airstrikes across Iran since the conflict intensified in late February or early March 2026. Iranian claims of downing U.S. or allied aircraft have circulated frequently but were often unverified or disproven. Friday’s events appeared to mark the first substantiated loss inside Iranian borders, raising questions about air defense effectiveness and the evolving risk to U.S. pilots.
The missing airman’s potential capture could hand Iran a significant propaganda victory, with fears he might be paraded publicly or used as leverage in any future negotiations. Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps elements and local militias were reported active in the search area, alongside civilians responding to the media appeal.
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White House officials have downplayed immediate escalation risks while stressing the priority of recovering the service member. Trump, in recent remarks, indicated the incident would not derail broader objectives but declined to outline specific retaliatory steps.
The broader conflict has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, strained global oil markets and drawn international concern over civilian impacts. Humanitarian groups have reported difficulties accessing affected areas, while regional allies monitor developments closely.
For U.S. military families and service members, the news revives painful memories of past captivity cases, such as the 1980 Iran hostage crisis or downed pilots in Vietnam. Support networks and counseling resources have been activated as details remain scarce.
As Saturday progressed, U.S. search operations continued without public confirmation of the missing airman’s location or condition. Analysts warned that involving civilians in military hunts could lead to unintended confrontations or endanger non-combatants.
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The F-15E Strike Eagle is a versatile fighter-bomber known for its speed, range and precision-strike capabilities. Its loss, even if isolated, highlights the persistent dangers of operating over defended airspace despite U.S. technological advantages in stealth and electronic warfare.
Iran has long invested in layered air defenses, including Russian-supplied systems and indigenous developments. While U.S. and Israeli strikes have targeted many radar and missile sites, some capabilities evidently remain operational.
Pentagon spokespeople have emphasized that aircraft losses are an inherent risk in combat but vowed to adapt tactics. “We have specially trained rescue units who will be combing that area,” one retired general told media, noting the speed and coordination required for successful extractions.
As the search stretched into a second day, families of U.S. service members awaited updates with growing anxiety. The incident has fueled debate in Washington about the scope and duration of operations against Iran, with some lawmakers calling for clearer exit strategies and others urging sustained pressure.
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International reactions varied. Allies expressed concern for the missing personnel, while some nations criticized the escalation. The United Nations and humanitarian organizations called for de-escalation and protection of all parties.
For now, the focus remains on the rugged terrain of southwestern Iran, where American and Iranian search parties race against time and each other. The outcome could influence the trajectory of a conflict that has already reshaped regional security dynamics.
U.S. officials continue to monitor developments closely, with rescue teams supported by intelligence assets and air cover. Whether the missing serviceman is located safely, captured or remains unaccounted for will likely shape the next phase of this volatile chapter in U.S.-Iran relations.
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The facility is the first outside of the UK for Training in Care
Dr Angela Brown, founder and CEO of Training in Care.(Image: Creo Comms)
South Shields firm Training in Care has launched its first centre outside of the UK with a move to target the Indian market.
The provider of industry courses in South Tyneside and Sunderland has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Guardian Angel Institute of Caregiving, which has 300 carers in the Kerala region and has provided care to thousands since its launch 2012. Working with Institute, the firm aims to upskill workers from across the country’s care sector.
Training in Care says it aims improve the quality of life for care receivers in India and address problems in the UK’s domestic care sector by sharing knowledge and best practice. The company has also entered into a two-year knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) with University of Sunderland to support the move.
Dr Angela Brown, founder and CEO of Training in Care, said: “Opening our first training centre outside of the UK is an incredibly proud moment for everyone associated with the business. Over the past 27 years, we’ve helped thousands of people gain the skills required to enter or progress their career in the care sector, so we’ve seen first-hand the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.
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“For example, while we have made real in-roads in the UK to ensure our carers have the required social care skills to enter the industry, for too long we have overlooked the need for basic healthcare skills, which is something that is seen as essential for anyone working in the industry in India. At the same time, their care sector hasn’t adopted the same quality of care standards which we have.
“This is why initiatives like this are so important, as it will allow peers in both countries to share best practice and knowledge and ensure that the tens of millions of people receiving care in both countries receive the best possible care and support. It fills us with immense pride to be expanding internationally and to be working alongside the fantastic teams at Guardian Angels and University of Sunderland. We can’t wait to get started.”
Announcing the partnership, Dr Usher Titus, chair of Kerala’s Additional Skill Acquisition Programme, an initiative led by the Higher Education Department, said: “On one side, we have an institution rooted deeply in care and clinical excellence – Guardian Angel Institute of Caregiving – shaping compassionate, skilled professionals here in India. And on the other hand, we have a globally respected name – Training in Care – with decades of expertise and internationally recognised standards.
“They bring a system that ensures that caregiving is not just practiced, but it is perfected. And I can undoubtedly say that individually, they represent excellence. And together, they are going to represent something far greater – a bridge, a pathway, an opportunity for the aspiring caregivers to step beyond borders, to learn, to grow. It’s not just a collaboration; it’s the beginning of a global pathway for a career in caregiving.”
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Dr Derek Watson, associate professor in cultural management at University of Sunderland, said: “Securing a KTP with Training in Care, worth £200,000, is predicated around the University of Sunderland actively supporting UK organisations and clearly demonstrating that the University has the commercial expertise to tangibly grow businesses.
“Our relationship with Training in Care has been actively nurtured over several years and we are delighted in that this is Training in Care’s first KTP. The two-year project will focus on strategic growth in terms of profit, innovation, and global market expansion. It will also continue to provide a reciprocal gateway to enrich our student commercial insights as they observe Training Cares growth.”
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Bob Rudd has joined forces with South East-based counterpart SX Leisure for the contract
Charlotte and Nick Rudd, of pubs supplier Bob Rudd.(Image: Bob Rudd)
Gambling machine and pool tables specialist Bob Rudd has created jobs on the back of a major contract to supply pubs across the country.
The Tyneside firm has partnered with Witham firm SX Leisure to feed Inspired Entertainment with equipment and servicing to venues, from Northumberland and Cumbria to the West Midlands. The move has created 40 jobs, and will see the two firms supply 1,000 pubs.
Nick Rudd, managing director the Brunswick Village firm, said: “It’s been a busy few months but we couldn’t be happier with how things have gone. Being selected to support a significant portfolio of pub venues previously supplied by Inspired has given us the opportunity to bring our service-first model to even more venues and the feedback from customers has been fantastic.
“It’s a real testament to the dedication of our entire team — both existing staff and new arrivals.”
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He added: “The move has also strengthened staffing — with new colleagues joining the business — and enhanced our ability to provide responsive, high-quality support nationwide. We’re seeing the benefits of scale without compromising the independent, service-led approach for which the business is known.”
Together the two companies have taken on more than 1,800 machines across 1,000 venues with SX Leisure reporting a 30% uptick in business. Greg Wood, director at SX Leisure, said: “It’s been an exciting challenge for both our existing team and those who’ve joined us during this process.
“The response from both our longstanding clients and new venues has been overwhelmingly positive. Our new colleagues have hit the ground running and I can’t thank the entire team enough for delivering the full SX Leisure experience at scale.”
As well headquarters in Witham, SX also has depots in Yeovil and Washington. Mr Wood added: “Our growth has never been taken for granted and this is just the beginning of the next chapter in SX Leisure’s journey.”
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Inspired continues to supply both companies as well as supplying retail gaming and betting businesses — including licensed betting shops, bingo and slots rooms, motorway services and pubs. Ian Shreeve, vice president and general manager gaming sales UK at Inspired said “This partnership has been everything we hoped for.
“Both the Bob Rudd and SX Leisure teams have delivered on every level — providing efficient operations, dependable service and a customer-first mindset. Inspired remains fully committed to the UK pub market and this collaboration ensures that pubs and customers continue to receive the highest-quality games, terminals, service and support.”
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Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
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