A US F-15E fighter pilot was shot down twice within 33 days in the recent US-Iran war. The pilot was downed for the first time over Kuwait in a "friendly fire incident," and again during an operation over Iran, he was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile, prompting a daring rescue operation. The pilot's dual shootdown was first reported by US defence reporter Sean Naylor in his Substack, The High Side. He, fortunately and unfortunately, becomes the first US pilot to be shot down twice and survive in the same conflict since the Vietnam War. Retired Air Force Lt Gen David Deptula called it a highly unusual occurrence: “It's like getting hit by lightning twice.”<h2>Kuwait's friendly shot down</h2>In March, during the initial days of the war, CENTCOM said that three American F-15 fighter jets were shot down over Kuwait in a "friendly fire incident." It said that the jets were flying in to support Operation Epic Fury, while Kuwait was being attacked by Iranian missiles and drones. As Kuwaiti air defence tried to intercept the incoming projectile, they shot down three American F-15 fighter jets. CENTCOM said that Kuwait acknowledged the operation. The pilot was among the six who ejected and landed safely.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-hotel-fire-woman-jumps-with-child-malviya-nagar-blaze-1780488667774">Delhi hotel fire: Woman carrying child jumps from burning building, 21 dead</a><h2>Shot down in Iran</h2>Almost a month later, in the Southwestern Iranian airspace, the pilot was shot down in an active operation. Both the pilot and their weapon systems manager were shot down. This time, the F-15 was struck by a Chinese-made shoulder-fired missile. The incident triggered mass panic as a hostage situation unfolded. The pilot was seriously injured but was later rescued within hours. US President Donald Trump described the mission as “one of the most daring search and rescue operations in U.S. history.”Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine commended the grit and tenacity of the pilot and the weapon systems manager. "The courage demonstrated by both the pilot and the weapons system officer while isolated and them evading the enemy cannot be overstated,"&nbsp;

A US F-15E fighter pilot survived being shot down twice within 33 days during the US-Iran war—first in a friendly-fire incident over Kuwait and later by an Iranian missile over Iran, prompting a dramatic rescue mission.

A US F-15E fighter pilot was shot down twice within 33 days in the recent US-Iran war. The pilot was downed for the first time over Kuwait in a "friendly fire incident," and again during an operation over Iran, he was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile, prompting a daring rescue operation. The pilot's dual shootdown was first reported by US defence reporter Sean Naylor in his Substack, The High Side. He, fortunately and unfortunately, becomes the first US pilot to be shot down twice and survive in the same conflict since the Vietnam War. Retired Air Force Lt Gen David Deptula called it a highly unusual occurrence: “It's like getting hit by lightning twice.” Kuwait's friendly shot down In March, during the initial days of the war, CENTCOM said that three American F-15 fighter jets were shot down over Kuwait in a "friendly fire incident." It said that the jets were flying in to support Operation Epic Fury, while Kuwait was being attacked by Iranian missiles and drones. As Kuwaiti air defence tried to intercept the incoming projectile, they shot down three American F-15 fighter jets. CENTCOM said that Kuwait acknowledged the operation. The pilot was among the six who ejected and landed safely. Also Read: Delhi hotel fire: Woman carrying child jumps from burning building, 21 dead Shot down in Iran Almost a month later, in the Southwestern Iranian airspace, the pilot was shot down in an active operation. Both the pilot and their weapon systems manager were shot down. This time, the F-15 was struck by a Chinese-made shoulder-fired missile. The incident triggered mass panic as a hostage situation unfolded. The pilot was seriously injured but was later rescued within hours. US President Donald Trump described the mission as “one of the most daring search and rescue operations in U.S. history.” Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine commended the grit and tenacity of the pilot and the weapon systems manager. "The courage demonstrated by both the pilot and the weapons system officer while isolated and them evading the enemy cannot be overstated,"

A US F-15E fighter pilot survived being shot down twice within 33 days during the US-Iran war—first in a friendly-fire incident over Kuwait and later by an Iranian missile over Iran, prompting a dramatic rescue mission.

US F-15 pilot shot down twice in 33 days during Iran war, survives both incidents

#Gravitas Two Israeli air force technicians are accused of spying for Iran, allegedly passing on sensitive military secrets to Iran from within a military airbase.  Iran has reportedly executed a man who worked for the Iranian atomic energy organisation and was convicted of spying for Israel’s spy agency Mossad.


Iran-Israel Espionage War: F-15 Secrets Stolen From Israel? 

The Israeli military has been hit with a major espionage scandal. On April 22, Israeli boradcaster KAN reported the arrest of two Air Force technicians stationed at the Tel Nof airbase, two Air Force technicians stationed at the Tel Nof airbase located in Central Israel, roughly 5 km south of the city of Rehovo. The two technicians were accused of leaking sensitive data, including sensitive technical data related to F-15 fighter jets, including engine diagrams and flight plans.The breach is considered one of the major counter-intelligence failures of Israel. The report further indicates that the two men were tasked to gather sensitive intel on senior officials like former Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. They were allegedly connected via social media and paid through cryptocurrency. They have reportedly handed over information like plans of Israeli aircraft engines as well as photos of a flight instructor’s face.The report also indicates that there were eight other soldiers who were compromised but failed to report the matter to the appropriate authority. The base commander has been summoned to the Shin Bet office, following the incident. The breach looks serious and triggered a high-level investigation.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-trump-hellhole-india-china-response-mea-congress-1776942946466">'Cradle of civilisation'- Iran hits back at Trump over 'hellhole' remark on India and China</a>In 2025, a reserve soldier in an Iron Dome unit, Yuri Eliasfov, was arrested for passing on information about the air defence system. Similarly, 10 Israeli soldiers were arrested for performing roughly 600 missions, which included photographing Nevatim and Ramat David airbases. These are similar techniques Israel has been employing on Iran for years. The Shin Bet reported a 400 per cent surge in Iranian espionage attempts in 2025, a trajectory that has only accelerated in early 2026 with the breakout of the US-Iran war.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Two Israeli air force technicians have been arrested for leaking sensitive F-15 fighter jet data in a major espionage breach. The incident has triggered a high-level investigation.

The Israeli military has been hit with a major espionage scandal. On April 22, Israeli boradcaster KAN reported the arrest of two Air Force technicians stationed at the Tel Nof airbase, two Air Force technicians stationed at the Tel Nof airbase located in Central Israel, roughly 5 km south of the city of Rehovo. The two technicians were accused of leaking sensitive data, including sensitive technical data related to F-15 fighter jets, including engine diagrams and flight plans. The breach is considered one of the major counter-intelligence failures of Israel. The report further indicates that the two men were tasked to gather sensitive intel on senior officials like former Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. They were allegedly connected via social media and paid through cryptocurrency. They have reportedly handed over information like plans of Israeli aircraft engines as well as photos of a flight instructor’s face. The report also indicates that there were eight other soldiers who were compromised but failed to report the matter to the appropriate authority. The base commander has been summoned to the Shin Bet office, following the incident. The breach looks serious and triggered a high-level investigation. Also Read: 'Cradle of civilisation'- Iran hits back at Trump over 'hellhole' remark on India and China In 2025, a reserve soldier in an Iron Dome unit, Yuri Eliasfov, was arrested for passing on information about the air defence system. Similarly, 10 Israeli soldiers were arrested for performing roughly 600 missions, which included photographing Nevatim and Ramat David airbases. These are similar techniques Israel has been employing on Iran for years. The Shin Bet reported a 400 per cent surge in Iranian espionage attempts in 2025, a trajectory that has only accelerated in early 2026 with the breakout of the US-Iran war.

Two Israeli air force technicians have been arrested for leaking sensitive F-15 fighter jet data in a major espionage breach. The incident has triggered a high-level investigation.

Espionage scandal in Israel: Iran breaches Tel Nof airbase, steals F-15 secrets

The United States has officially confirmed that multiple F‑15 warplanes crashed during active operations in the escalating conflict with Iran. The Pentagon’s first acknowledgment follows earlier unverified reports from regional sources.

The incident underscores the risks faced by aircraft in contested airspace, with potential casualties and operational impacts still under investigation. Analysts say such losses could affect air campaign strategies and reflect the increasing intensity of the US–Israel–Iran conflict.

F-15 Warplanes Crashed: First Confirmation By US 

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US F-15 pilot shot down twice in 33 days during Iran war, survives both incidents

Iran-Israel Espionage War: F-15 Secrets Stolen From Israel?

Espionage scandal in Israel: Iran breaches Tel Nof airbase, steals F-15 secrets

F-15 Warplanes Crashed: First Confirmation By US