A second US fighter plane crashed in the Persian Gulf area after it was hit by Iranian fire – and the lone pilot was safely rescued, according to US officials and a report.
The A-10 Warthog attack plane plunged to the ground near the Strait of Hormuz as it searched for the crew of an Air Force F-15E that was shot down earlier over Iran, a US official told NBC News on Friday afternoon.
The Warthog reached air space over Kuwait, where the pilot ejected and the aircraft spiraled down, the officials told the outlet.
Iranian state media also took credit for downing the second plane, claiming it was struck by its air defense forces.
Follow The Post’s coverage of the United States’ airstrikes on Iran:
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One pilot of the F-15E hit by Iran was rescued, but another pilot on the jet remains missing.
A search-and-rescue mission for the second crew member was unfolding Friday.
NBC News also reported that two military helicopters were shot by Iranians while involved in the mission but all members are safe.
With Post wires
