The United States successfully rescued the last missing pilot of an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet that was shot down in southern Iran last Friday (3 Apr)." ,
According to BBC News, President Donald Trump confirmed the rescue on social media Sunday morning, calling it "one of the most courageous search and rescue missions in history," and added that the pilot is now "safe and sound!" Though in a later post, Trump noted the pilot was "severely injured."
Iranian officials claimed the fighter jet was shot down by their air defense systems, but the exact crash location remains unconfirmed. Iranian media cited two possible provinces: Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, and Khuzestan.
However, there were two pilots on board the aircraft, both of whom ejected successfully. One was quickly rescued by the US military, while the other received assistance two days later.
The first pilot was rescued on the day of the incident, reportedly involving an A-10 Warthog attack aircraft. However, that plane was shot down over Persian Gulf waters, forcing the pilot to eject before being rescued later.
Regarding the second pilot, both the US and Iran raced against time to locate him, with Iranian authorities even offering a reward for his capture.
Although official details of the rescue operation have not been released, insiders described it as a major Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) mission in southern Iran.
CBS News, a US partner of BBC, reported that Trump temporarily suspended other operations in Iran to focus on the rescue, deploying several dozen special operations personnel for the mission.
"Assaults like this are rarely attempted due to the danger to both personnel and equipment. It’s nearly impossible!" the president stated on social media.
CSAR missions are among the most complex and time-sensitive operations, typically involving helicopters flying low over enemy airspace alongside other military aircraft providing attack and reconnaissance support.
Retired US Navy Rear Admiral William Fallon told BBC that the timing of the mission likely aided its success: "Darkness is beneficial for our people, as they are trained for night operations."
Trump’s post said the pilot, a colonel, was "trapped behind enemy lines amid Iran’s dangerous mountain terrain, with enemies closing in on him by the hour."
Military analyst and BBC Security Brief host Mikey Kay explained that ejecting from an aircraft is a "very violent process" that "can exert tremendous force on the body."
Kay noted that upon landing, the pilot likely quickly packed away and camouflaged his parachute, was trained to activate a locator beacon, move to higher ground, conceal himself, and attempt communication with command.
US sources told American media the pilot spent over 24 hours alone, hiding in the mountains and hiking up ridges as high as 7,000 feet (about 2,100 meters).
Trump added that the pilot’s position was monitored "24 hours a day" by personnel planning the rescue and confirmed that the US deployed dozens of aircraft into Iran for the mission, which was completed without any casualties.
However, US media reported that two transport planes scheduled to fly out the rescue team could not take off from a secret base in Iran and were destroyed to prevent enemy capture of equipment. Subsequently, the commando unit withdrew successfully after three additional aircraft were sent in.
US media also reported that one helicopter carrying the rescued F-15 pilot came under small-arms fire, injuring crew members, but the aircraft landed safely.
After the rescue, the pilot was flown to Kuwait for medical treatment, according to CBS citing US officials.
Jennifer Kavanagh, director of military analysis at Defense Priorities, told BBC that fighter pilots are rigorously trained to handle being shot down, prioritizing survival and avoidance of capture.
"They are trained to... get away from the ejection site as quickly as possible and to use camouflage to stay safe," Kavanagh said, adding they also learn survival skills to endure without food or water or to utilize local resources to survive as long as possible.
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Source:bbc