Iran-US War: American pilots are trained in advance on the methods a pilot must use to defend himself after an American fighter jet is shot down in enemy territory.

What are the rescue methods available to American pilots?

US military pilots are trained in several methods of self-defense in the event of a downed aircraft, most notably Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE). The US military is currently searching for one crew member of an F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down in Iran. The other crew member may be trying to hide in a safe location until they can be safely rescued.

Such fighter jets typically have two crew members: a pilot and a weapons systems officer. Both crew members of the F-15E Strike Eagle ejected. According to US and Israeli officials, one of them was rescued from Iranian soil. However, the fate of the other crew member is still unclear.

What is Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape? 
US military pilots are trained in Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE), which is designed for situations where US military aircraft are shot down over enemy territory. The first step is to safely exit the aircraft via parachute. Once on the ground, pilots must find a safe place to escape the enemy and communicate their location to US forces using the radio in their kit.

The US military then makes every effort to rescue survivors. US Central Command maintains several task forces deployed in areas surrounding Iran, such as Iraq and Syria, for search and rescue operations, so that immediate action can be taken if US warplanes are shot down.

What are the pilot's chances of survival?
In cases where someone is captured or taken hostage by the enemy, pilots must use their resistance training to withstand extreme stress, interrogation, and possible torture. Iran's vast and remote terrain can increase pilots' chances of survival. Pilots will benefit if they are in a dark area with more concealment, such as dense forest, and away from heavily populated areas. However, lack of food and water, injuries, and enemy pursuit can reduce a pilot's chances of survival.