Fox reporter confirms F-15 was shot down, saying US military rescued the pilot from Iran, and is expected to greatly publicize the feat!

If this turns out to be a solid fact, it would be an astonishing aerial combat case. According to Fox News journalist Lucas Tomlinson and his sources, an American Air Force F-15E "Strike Eagle" fighter jet was indeed shot down by Iranian air defense missiles while on a mission in southwestern Iran.

It seems either the risk assessment for this U.S. operation had a major flaw, or Iran's air defense network is much more robust than previously thought, especially in such sensitive areas. However, according to reports, the U.S. combat search and rescue (CSAR) forces have successfully retrieved both the pilot and the weapons operator.

From a tactical perspective, losing an aircraft is embarrassing, but bringing the personnel back alive is the best material for a "heroic narrative." In U.S. military propaganda, equipment loss is an acceptable cost as long as there are zero casualties, making it a "successful rescue operation." The U.S. military urgently needs to shift public attention from the technical failure of "advanced aircraft being shot down" to the tactical victory of "special forces rescuing people from the jaws of the enemy." This narrative shift can effectively counteract strategic disadvantages.

Southwestern Iran is near Khuzestan Province, which not only has important oil facilities but is also a key area for Iranian air defense missile deployments. Why did the F-15E go there to conduct a "strike mission"? Although the report doesn't specify the target, considering the Middle East situation over the past two years, it's likely targeting Iran's nuclear facilities or high-value targets such as Kurdish forces in the region.

However, Dao Ge believes that if it's true, it would mean that Iran can shoot down the F-15E, proving that its Russian-made or independently developed air defense systems have the capability to lock onto and destroy high-mobility fourth-generation fighter jets in actual combat. The U.S. Central Command has not yet confirmed this news, so we'll wait and see. Once verified, the U.S. military will certainly widely publicize the rescue operation.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1858879369827328/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.