Unconfirmed Reports That F-15 WSO Recovered After Special Forces Battle IRGC

Reports are bouncing around X that the Weapons System Officer has been recovered after a dramatic battle in southern Iran.

No confirmation yet from the Central Command, so take these reports with a large grain of salt. All the reports seem to trace back to a well-regarded milblogger and former Green Beret, who supposedly has an impeccable record. 

The second F-15 crew member has been rescued alive and is save.

Massive gunfight at the site of the rescue. Great news, and can’t wait to hear more details. https://t.co/XtNBK6254h

— David Hookstead (@dhookstead) April 4, 2026

What doesn’t appear to be in dispute is that a battle has taken place near the site where the downed F-15 crewmember was hiding. 

Large number of locals are rushing to the mountains area where apparent US SOF CSAR is ongoing for remaining pilot of downed F-15. pic.twitter.com/2YbgkdiBDM

— Aldin 🇧🇦 (@aldin_aba) April 4, 2026

‼️ NEW:
Crowds are gathering outside a hospital in Dehdasht, Iran amid reports of clashes between U.S. rescue teams and regime forces near the suspected crash site of a downed F-15, as the search continues for the missing American airman. 

Stay connected, follow @MOSSADil. pic.twitter.com/u29uBwuPWm

— Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) April 5, 2026

The IRGC has reported Iranian deaths and has warned its citizens to stay away from the area. Iran is also claiming that the US was bombing to kill its pilot rather than have him captured, which is obviously crap. 

💢 Iranian state-linked Tasnim News, citing a military source, claims U.S. forces are bombing areas in southwest Iran where a missing pilot may be located, alleging Washington has “lost hope” of recovery and is attempting to kill him.

The source added: “We will not announce… https://t.co/8ekPo9msHr

— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) April 4, 2026

 Iranian state-linked Tasnim News, citing a military source, claims U.S. forces are bombing areas in southwest Iran where a missing pilot may be located, alleging Washington has “lost hope” of recovery and is attempting to kill him.

The source added: “We will not announce whether the pilot is in our custody or not,” and accused the U.S. of “not telling the full truth” about the first crew members U.S. claims was recovered.

Separately, Iranian officials reported U.S.-Israeli strikes and at least 4 killed during the recovery operations:

➤ In Dehdasht, a city in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province in southwest Iran, 4 people were killed and 1 wounded after a telecommunications tower and the Kooh Siah broadcasting center were struck, according to provincial officials. 

➤ The site is part of local communications infrastructure, suggesting the strike targeted media or signal capabilities rather than a conventional military base, though authorities said details remain under review.

I shouldn’t have to say, Iranian media reports mean little, but for what it’s worth, there it is. It does seem to confirm that a battle is either ongoing or has taken place. Drop Site News is a pro-Islamist site and heavily anti-American. 

🚨 BREAKING: Video from Southwestern Iran appears to show civilians and security forces rushing towards the area believed to be where the US military is attempting to rescue our F-15 crew member

No update on our WSO’s status yet.

It’s a race against the clock. pic.twitter.com/ZNUvqsGRIp

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 5, 2026

Israel is known to massively bomb around an area where one of their pilots is stranded in order to keep enemy troops from reaching them, so the bombing is likely to drive away people trying to capture our WSO. 

There’s enough out there to confirm the rescue op is in progress. Nothing confirmed to say if the successfully rescued the WSO. Those USAF CSAR guys are the best, and no resource will be withheld from them. The entire CAOC staff right now is barely breathing watching the feed.… pic.twitter.com/mzoj7BfSCm

— Michael Kelly (@Mkellytx2) April 5, 2026

🚨 Reports from locals speaking to Iranian media indicate that Islamic Republic forces are transferring large numbers of dead and wounded IRGC troops, along with Basij terrorists, from Black Mountain to Dehdasht Hospital.

The casualties reportedly follow USAF strikes targeting…

— Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) April 5, 2026

Reports from locals speaking to Iranian media indicate that Islamic Republic forces are transferring large numbers of dead and wounded IRGC troops, along with Basij terrorists, from Black Mountain to Dehdasht Hospital.

The casualties reportedly follow USAF strikes targeting IRGC Ground Forces that advanced during an active U.S. rescue operation for a downed pilot.

Significant IRGC losses are being reported.

That’s all I have for now. Will update as warranted. 

UPDATE from another person in the Special Forces community:

The missing WSO from the shot-down USAF F-15E is now safe and back in American hands. An officer involved in monitoring the CSAR in southern Iran describing the aviator’s incredible tenacity: “He evaded up a 7k ridge. They’ve been schwackin’ dudes chasing him all day. Was nuts.”…

— Toby Harnden (@tobyharnden) April 5, 2026

MORE UNCONFIRMED BUT INTERESTING REPORTS:

Images just coming in from the mountains of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad in Iran: plainclothes (Basij) forces of the Islamic Republic (according to the person who films), deployed to search for the American pilot were killed in the operation.

At least three IRGC personnel have… pic.twitter.com/2qA2KuSDiM

— Afshin Ismaeli (@Afshin_Ismaeli) April 5, 2026

Independent Journalist Jack Murphy Claims That The
F-15E WSO Has Been Recovered Alive. So Far None Of This Has Been Confirmed By Any Official Sources Or DOW Officials. pic.twitter.com/Y6AwwQyYxc

— Kagan.Dunlap (@Kagan_M_Dunlap) April 5, 2026

Editor’s note: If we thought our job in pushing back against the Academia/media/Democrat censorship complex was over with the election, think again. This is going to be a long fight. If you want to join the conversation in the comments — and support independent platforms — why not join our VIP Membership program? Choose VIP to support Hot Air and access our premium content, VIP Gold to extend your access to all Townhall Media platforms and participate in this show, or VIP Platinum to get access to even more content and discounts on merchandise. Use the promo code FIGHT to join or to upgrade your existing membership level today, and get 60% off!