Former PLA personnel say Iranian success in shooting down military aircraft boosts morale and shows it remains a threat to US and Israel
3-MIN READ3-MINSeong Hyeon ChoiandWilliam ZhengPublished: 6:13pm, 6 Apr 2026The rescue of a missing American crew member after Iran shot down an F-15E fighter jet shows the United States’ “comprehensive capability” for carrying out high-risk rescue operations, according to Chinese analysts.On Sunday, United States President Donald Trump confirmed that the missing crew member – one of two on the fighter jet shot down over the southern part of Iran on Friday – had been rescued amid the US-Israel war on Iran.Trump posted to social media that the US military had “pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations” in its history and that the rescued airman was “SAFE and SOUND!” despite being “seriously wounded”.
Trump’s fiery, foul-mouthed message threatening Iran draws criticism
Trump’s fiery, foul-mouthed message threatening Iran draws criticismBoth Washington and Tehran had been in a race to locate the missing air force officer after the F-15E fighter jet was brought down by Iran’s air-defence system, according to Iranian officials. It was the first manned US aircraft shot down over Iran since the war began on February 28.
The pilot of the aircraft had earlier been rescued by the US military. Tehran’s state media disclosed images of alleged debris near the southern Iranian city of Isfahan, after reports on Friday that the jet had been shot down.
Tehran had offered the Iranian public a reward to hand over the missing airman in an attempt to capture an American prisoner of war.
The rescue of crew from a jet brought down in hostile territory – known as a combat search and rescue (CSAR) mission – is considered among the highest risk and most complex military missions. It requires special operations teams who are often accompanied by helicopters to find, support and recover missing personnel before they are captured, all while potentially under enemy fire.
