tjwds5d ago

F-15E jet shot down over Iran

https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/03/iran-f-15e-debris/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/03/us-fighter-jet-confirmed-shot-down-over-iran

Iranian Media Posts Debris From USAF F-15E Claimed to Have Been Downed Earlier Today

Although Iranian media claimed an F-35 has been shot down, images from the crash site clearly show debris belonging to an F-15E Strike Eagle. On Apr. 3,

The Aviationist
Show threadMarkMarine5d ago
Military aviators train for this, being alone behind enemy lines (look up SERE school if you’re curious, one of the craziest training courses outside of special forces) and there is a special force just for aviator recovery behind enemy lines, US AirForce Pararescue. Hopefully they’ll get the aviators back quickly, the last thing our country needs is American hostages making this ridiculous war harder to stop.
Show threadlokar5d ago
Do they train for a “no quarter“ conflict where injured or surrendered combatants are killed?
Show threadrbanffy5d ago
Hegseth is not in charge of the Iranian military.
Show threadlokar
But he did publicly declare his intention to commit war crimes.
Apr 3 at 3:34pmWeb
Show threadtwo_handfuls5d ago

In case anyone else doubted this, I will save you the time to look it up. Yup, it's sadly true.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/hegseth-no-quarter-interna...

'No Quarter' Declaration by Pete Hegseth 'Constitutes a War Crime': Experts | Common Dreams

"The Pentagon's law of war manual states unequivocally that such statements are war crimes," said a legal scholar who previously worked in the Pentagon's office of general counsel.

Common Dreams
Show threadlokar4d ago

Yep. And war crime seems to have lost all meaning in the US.

But, even if you dismiss the idea of international standards, this is clearly very bad for US soldiers (and sailors, airmen, etc). I wonder if they see that.

Show threadjMyles4d ago

> But, even if you dismiss the idea of international standards, this is clearly very bad for US soldiers (and sailors, airmen, etc). I wonder if they see that.

Even if you dismiss the idea of international standards, a no-quarter declaration is against _US law_, specifically subject to the penalty of death with no other lawful penalty defined: https://www.govregs.com/uscode/title18_partI_chapter118_sect....

18 USC 2441 - War crimes

Searchable text of the 18 USC 2441 - War crimes (US Code), including Notes, Amendments, and Table of Authorities

Show threadasdff4d ago
We've already committed several war crimes.
Show threadestearum4d ago
Actually even just declaring no quarter is itself a war crime.
Show threadKaiserPro4d ago
Hes also liable for the death sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 2441 — War Crimes Act (1996) & 10 U.S.C. § 950t — Military Commissions Act (more relevent)
Show threadlokar4d ago

They won't face any US law. AIUI, they have been getting letters from the DOJ office of legal counsel that say it's legal. This effectively immunizes them (the DOJ can't turn around and charge you with a crime, if they advised you beforehand it was not a crime).

The best shot would be to turn them over to the ICC

Show threadKaiserPro4d ago
Alas, the USA isn't signed up to the ICC.
Show threadlokar4d ago
Sure, but, if somehow they fell into ICC custody overseas...