U.S. News
Inside the Daring Iran Airman Rescue That Tested U.S. Forces
Clear Facts
- A seriously wounded American colonel evaded Iranian capture for 48 hours by climbing 7,000 feet into mountain crevices.
- President Trump personally directed dozens of aircraft and hundreds of special operations forces to secure the weapon systems officer’s recovery.
- U.S. forces destroyed two disabled transport aircraft on the ground to prevent sensitive technology from falling into Iranian hands.
An American colonel utilized his advanced survival training to evade Iranian forces for nearly two days following the ejection of his F-15E fighter jet.
The officer scaled a massive ridge while Iranian units, reportedly motivated by a bounty, closed in on his position.
President Donald Trump confirmed the pilot was rescued first in broad daylight before the focus shifted to the wounded colonel deep in the mountains.
The rescue mission involved support from intelligence assets and a strategic deception campaign by the CIA to confuse enemy forces.
“He was rescued deep inside the mountains of Iran while Iranian forces were looking for him in big numbers and getting close.”
Military assets including MQ-9 Reaper drones established a lethal perimeter to protect the airman from Iranians who approached within three kilometers of the extraction zone.
To ensure the safety of the mission, U.S. forces struck Iranian convoys attempting to reach the restricted area.
The operation encountered significant obstacles when two transport planes became disabled at a remote location due to environmental conditions.
Commanders ordered three additional aircraft to extract all personnel and authorized the destruction of the stuck planes.
A press conference is scheduled for Monday at 1:00 p.m. ET where the President and military officials are expected to provide further details.
This mission is being described by officials as one of the most complex in the history of U.S. special operations.
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