The F-15E fighter jet was shot down in southern Iran. According to consistent media reports, the pilot was rescued. The missing crew member was reported to be the weapons systems officer; This usually sits in the rear seat in the cockpit. The US government remains tight-lipped about the incident; at least one plane and two helicopters are said to be involved in a rescue mission.
According to media reports, state-affiliated broadcasters in Iran have called for this Capture crew member alive. Apparently one was Reward announced. If the crew member were to be taken prisoner and images of him were to be published, this could further negatively impact the American public’s already critical attitude towards the war, said expert Rapp: “If such images were to appear, it would have an enormously changing effect from the American perspective.”
US President Donald Trump had previously responded to a question from the British newspaper “The Independent” about what he would do if the missing crew member were captured or injured by Iranians: “Well, I can’t comment on that because – we hope that won’t happen.” (sda/dpa)