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Exclusive: Downed US pilot reported seeing Iranian drones swarm in ‘jellyfish’ formation
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
By Zachary Cohen, Katie Bo Lillis, CNN
(CNN) — A US fighter jet pilot rescued by special forces after being shot down over Iran in April described a shocking sight before ejecting from his aircraft: multiple Iranian drones hovering in the air, moving as one, in a formation that resembled a jell...
Why this matters in The El Paso
The downing of a US fighter jet over Iran and the reported sighting of Iranian drones in a "jellyfish" formation has significant implications for the El Paso community, given the city's strong military presence. As home to Fort Bliss, one of the largest military bases in the country, El Paso has a substantial number of residents with ties to the military, including those currently serving in the Middle East. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks faced by these service members and the evolving nature of modern warfare. The fact that the pilot was rescued and is now sharing his account with intelligence officials also highlights the importance of the military's search and rescue operations, which are often trained and conducted in the desert landscapes surrounding El Paso. As the investigation into the incident continues, El Pasoans will be watching closely to see how this development affects the ongoing conflict and the safety of their loved ones serving overseas.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 1 min
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What is this story about? By Zachary Cohen, Katie Bo Lillis, CNN
(CNN) — A US fighter jet pilot rescued by special forces after being shot down over Iran in April described a shocking sight before ejecting from his aircraft: multiple Iranian drones hovering in the air, moving as one, in a formation that resembled a jell...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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