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Iran and the United States are in a race against time to find one of the two American pilots whose fighter jet was shot down on Friday, April 3 in Iranian airspace. Tehran promises a reward for his capture and claims to have destroyed another American aircraft a few hours later.
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Who will find the missing American pilot first? On one side, Iranian forces are searching the rugged areas where wreckage of the downed plane has been found. On the other side, American helicopters and planes are trying hard to locate him before he falls into enemy hands. The mission is extremely dangerous. In mid-flight, an American search helicopter comes under Iranian fire.
The stakes are high. For Iran, capturing the American pilot is a war trophy, a bargaining chip capable of influencing the conflict. A reward is promised for his capture.
Thirty years ago, José Souvignet, a former French pilot, had to eject in Bosnia after being hit in mid-air. He explains that the situation is critical for a pilot in such a scenario. “The people on the ground have plenty of time to spot us, see where we are going to land, and head to the drop zone. As you get closer to the ground, the sounds of war rise. You hear the shots and bullets whistling,” says Colonel José Souvignet, a former air force navigator.
The other pilot who was aboard the F-15 jet was quickly located and rescued by the Americans. According to Iranian media, a second American fighter jet also crashed. The pilot was extracted by the Americans.
