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Wall Street Journal

U.S. F-15E shot down over Iran; combat search-and-rescue and survival procedures underway

A U.S. F-15E was reportedly shot down over Iran and its aircrew declared missing as a combat search-and-rescue operation — including an HC-130 and two HH-60 helicopters — was observed over Iranian territory. Former pilots and retired officers outlined immediate survival, evasion and recovery steps being executed.

2026-04-03T10:52:47.548539-07:00

The Intercept

US A-10 Shot Down Near Strait of Hormuz While Rescuing Downed F-15E

2026-04-03T09:16:15.174965-07:00

Wall Street Journal

USAF F-15E Shot Down Over Iran During Operation Epic Fury; Combat SAR Underway

2026-04-03T10:51:19.454508-07:00

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

Senior U.S. aviation engineer stopped at DFW with employer’s proprietary documents bound for China

2026-04-02T08:30:39.497169-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

USAF pulls KC-135 from boneyard for possible reactivation after tanker losses in Iran campaign The U.S. Air Force has transferred a retired KC-135 Stratotanker out of long-term storage, a move that signals possible reactivation after several tanker losses tied to the ongoing U.S.–Israeli air campaign against Iran. Open-source flight tracking shows the aircraft leaving the boneyard, suggesting expedited sustainment steps.

2026-04-03T12:15:34.553320-07:00

USAF pulls KC-135 from boneyard for possible reactivation after tanker losses in Iran campaign

Wall Street Journal

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U.S. F-15E shot down over Iran; combat search-and-rescue and survival procedures underway A U.S. F-15E was reportedly shot down over Iran and its aircrew declared missing as a combat search-and-rescue operation — including an HC-130 and two HH-60 helicopters — was observed over Iranian territory. Former pilots and retired officers outlined immediate survival, evasion and recovery steps being executed.

2026-04-03T10:52:47.548539-07:00

U.S. F-15E shot down over Iran; combat search-and-rescue and survival procedures underway

Wall Street Journal

USAF F-15E Shot Down Over Iran During Operation Epic Fury; Combat SAR Underway A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran during Operation Epic Fury, with two crew reportedly ejecting. Combat search-and-rescue operations involving Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 are underway amid a campaign that has flown roughly 13,000 sorties over five weeks.

2026-04-03T10:51:19.454508-07:00

USAF F-15E Shot Down Over Iran During Operation Epic Fury; Combat SAR Underway

The Intercept

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US A-10 Shot Down Near Strait of Hormuz While Rescuing Downed F-15E On April 3, a U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II was downed near the Strait of Hormuz while conducting rescue operations for the crew of a recently shot-down F-15E. The loss was the second U.S. combat aircraft lost in the Persian Gulf region that day and is tied to Iran-related fighting.

2026-04-03T09:16:15.174965-07:00

US A-10 Shot Down Near Strait of Hormuz While Rescuing Downed F-15E

AeroTime

USAF uses EA-37B Compass Call in operations against Iran before formal IOC The U.S. Air Force has deployed the EA-37B Compass Call electronic-attack jet in operations against Iran in the Middle East, marking the platform's first known combat employment. The sorties took place before the aircraft was formally declared operational, demonstrating early operational use of the new EW asset.

2026-04-02T11:22:02.543836-07:00

USAF uses EA-37B Compass Call in operations against Iran before formal IOC

FlightGlobal

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Malaysia Aviation Group eyes Q4 widebody replacement as profit doubles; fleet stance unchanged amid Middle East crisis Malaysia Aviation Group said it will not materially change its operating fleet despite the Middle East conflict, is targeting a fourth‑quarter long‑range widebody replacement order, and reported a doubling of 2025 profit on higher traffic and fleet expansion while flagging a cautious 2026 outlook amid geopolitical risks.

2026-04-02T10:15:46.842941-07:00

Malaysia Aviation Group eyes Q4 widebody replacement as profit doubles; fleet stance unchanged amid Middle East crisis

politico.eu

Austria blocks U.S. military flights over its airspace, cites constitutional neutrality amid Iran conflict Austria has denied U.S. requests to use its airspace for military operations related to the Iran conflict, invoking its constitutional neutrality law. Vice‑chancellor Andi Babler said the country "wants nothing to do with Trump's policy of chaos and his war."

2026-04-02T09:20:05.519721-07:00

Austria blocks U.S. military flights over its airspace, cites constitutional neutrality amid Iran conflict

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

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Senior U.S. aviation engineer stopped at DFW with employer’s proprietary documents bound for China CBP officers at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport stopped 57‑year‑old senior engineer Junjie “Jeff” Zhang while he attempted to fly to China carrying proprietary and confidential documents belonging to his U.S. employer; authorities say the materials’ estimated value exceeds $100,000.

2026-04-02T08:30:39.497169-07:00

Senior U.S. aviation engineer stopped at DFW with employer’s proprietary documents bound for China

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U.S. F-15E shot down over Iran; combat search-and-rescue and survival procedures underway

US A-10 Shot Down Near Strait of Hormuz While Rescuing Downed F-15E

USAF F-15E Shot Down Over Iran During Operation Epic Fury; Combat SAR Underway

Senior U.S. aviation engineer stopped at DFW with employer’s proprietary documents bound for China

News Timeline