Defense

2 US helicopters hit during recovery efforts in Iran

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by Sophie Brams and Filip Timotija - 04/03/26 7:24 PM ET

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by Sophie Brams and Filip Timotija - 04/03/26 7:24 PM ET

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Two U.S. military helicopters were hit by Iranian fire on Friday while engaging in a search-and-rescue mission for the crew of a downed fighter jet.

A U.S. Air Force UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and a second search-and-rescue helicopter were struck but were able to escape, a source familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity to share operational matters, told The Hill.

The aircraft were involved in recovery efforts for crew members ejected from an F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down by Iranian forces, the first instance of an American plane being downed inside the country since the conflict began in late February.

One of the two crew members has been rescued by U.S. forces, according to a U.S. official. There is an ongoing search for the other service member.

A congressional aide, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told The Hill that the Pentagon briefed the House Armed Services Committee on Friday that the status of the second service member is not known.

Iranian state media published photos purporting to show parts of the downed aircraft, indicating it was a U.S. F-15 fighter yet.

The development follows repeated assertions by President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that the U.S. has achieved dominance in the skies and significantly weakened Tehran’s combat capabilities.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf mocked the rhetoric coming from U.S. officials in a Friday morning post on the social platform X.

“After defeating Iran 37 times in a row, this brilliant no-strategy war they started has now been downgraded from ‘regime change’ to ‘Hey! Can anyone find our pilots? Please?’” Qalibaf wrote. “Wow. What incredible progress. Absolute geniuses.”

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