US special forces rescue second crew member of downed F-15 in Iran
US special operations forces rescued the second crew member of an F-15 fighter jet downed over Iran, ending a tense 36-hour operation, Axios reported citing US officials. The pilot was recovered within hours, while the weapons officer was found more than a day later. US aircraft struck Iranian forces to prevent them from reaching the site. Both crew members have been recovered.
US special operations forces rescued the second crew member of an F-15 fighter jet downed above Iran on Saturday, Axios reported citing three US officials. The rescue concluded a tense 36-hour operation in southwest Iran, where US forces and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were reportedly both attempting to reach the missing American officer. With the latest extraction, both crew members have now been recovered.
Mission details and communication after ejection
One US official stated that the mission was carried out by an elite commando team backed by extensive air support, and that all American personnel involved have exited Iran. Two sources said the pilot and the weapons systems officer were able to communicate after ejecting from the aircraft. The pilot was recovered within hours of the jet being shot down, while the second crew member was not found and rescued until more than a day later.
US forces deployed inside Iran on Friday and Saturday
US special forces were deployed inside Iran on Friday and again on Saturday as part of the search-and-rescue effort. After the second crew member was located on Saturday, US forces launched an operation to extract him while IRGC units were also moving into the area, apparently to stop the mission. Sources said US Air Force aircraft struck Iranian forces to prevent them from reaching the site.
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Stranded transport planes destroyed
The New York Times reported that after the weapons officer was rescued, two transport planes meant to evacuate the commandos and airmen became stranded at a remote base in Iran. In response, commanders sent three replacement aircraft to bring everyone out and destroyed the disabled planes to keep them from falling into Iranian hands. US president Donald Trump and senior members of his administration monitored the mission from the White House situation room.
Iranian strike hit US helicopter during pilot rescue
During the operation to rescue the pilot on Friday, an Iranian strike hit a US Black Hawk helicopter involved in the mission. Although several personnel aboard were injured, the helicopter was able to continue flying.
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