What we know so far about rescue of US airman in Iran
What We Know So Far About Rescue of US Airman in Iran
The United States successfully retrieved the missing airman from a US F-15 fighter jet that was downed over southern Iran on Friday. President Donald Trump announced the rescue via social media on Sunday morning, highlighting it as a “daring” operation. He noted the officer is now “SAFE and SOUND!”
Two crew members were aboard the jet when it was shot down by Iran’s air defense system. Both ejected from the plane, with one already recovered by US forces. The second airman spent over 24 hours alone in the mountains, reportedly armed with a handgun, before being located. Details about the rescue’s execution remain unclear, but sources describe it as a significant combat search-and-rescue mission in the region.
American troops engaged in a high-stakes effort to find the missing pilot. A senior official shared with CBS News that the airman was hidden in a mountain crevice for more than a day. The CIA is said to have played a critical role in pinpointing his location and orchestrating a deception campaign. During the rescue, the agency allegedly spread misinformation that the airman had already been found and was being extracted.
“Their number-one priority is to stay alive and to avoid capture,” said Jennifer Kavanagh, a military analyst at Defense Priorities. “They’re trained to, assuming they’re physically capable, get away from the ejection site as quickly as possible and conceal themselves for safety.”
The rescue operation involved multiple aircraft, with Trump stating the mission was completed without casualties. Iranian state media reported that troops from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) downed a US drone while searching for the airman. The drone crashed in Isfahan province, according to Fars news agency.
Earlier, Iran expressed willingness to find the American alive, offering a reward for assistance. The crew of a downed jet undergoes specialized training for such scenarios, including survival tactics to endure harsh conditions. The exact location of the F-15’s downing was not confirmed, though Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, and Khuzestan provinces were mentioned.
Additional context reveals that the pilot was recovered in a prior operation. This included an A-10 Warthog aircraft that was hit in the Gulf, with its pilot ejecting before being rescued. One helicopter transporting the rescued F-15E pilot was damaged by small arms fire, injuring crew members but landing safely.
