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Defense · Military Rescue · Special Operations · US-Iran Conflict
A U.S. Air Force pilot, the weapons systems officer from a downed F-15E Strike Eagle, was successfully rescued from deep inside hostile Iranian territory by U.S. special operations forces in a complex overnight operation, marking a clear tactical and political victory for Washington after more than 48 hours.
The rescue followed the F-15E's downing early Friday, April 3, forcing its two-man crew to eject. While one pilot was recovered quickly, the second airman's fate remained unknown, prompting a high-stakes search.
The operation involved hundreds of special operations troops, dozens of warplanes and helicopters, and cyber and space intelligence capabilities, establishing a forward operating base near Isfahan, Iran. Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin reported U.S. troops exchanged fire with IRGC and Basij forces, with President Donald Trump confirming no U.S. forces were killed or wounded.
The mission, described by an unnamed senior U.S. official to the New York Times as one of the most challenging in U.S. special operations history, saw an A-10 Warthog crash in Kuwait and two HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters hit by enemy fire, with two C-130 transport aircraft later destroyed inside Iran after becoming stuck. The CIA also conducted extensive deception efforts.
This operation denied Iran a propaganda opportunity and reinforced U.S. military recovery doctrine and capability.
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