Rescue of pilots in Iran: Trump speaks of triumph, but the operation was not without losses

The US military succeeded in rescuing both crew members of an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet that was shot down by Iranian air defense on Friday, April 3. President Donald Trump described the operation as "one of the most daring search and rescue operations in US history." The rescue was successful, but the operation came at the cost of equipment losses, with American forces deliberately destroying some of the machines so they would not fall into enemy hands. BBC News ↗

This is one of the riskiest American rescue operations in recent years, as it took place deep within the territory of a state with which the US is not in open war.

The F-15E fighter jet was shot down by Iranian forces on Friday over southwestern Iran. Both crew members — the pilot and the weapons systems officer, holding the rank of colonel — ejected and landed in enemy territory. The pilot was rescued that same Friday, approximately seven hours after being shot down, in a daylight operation during which, according to some sources, gunfire was also exchanged. The American side deliberately did not disclose this information so as not to endanger the search for the second crew member. SITA ↗

The weapons systems officer suffered serious injuries during ejection but managed to make his way into the mountainous terrain of the Zagros mountains. For nearly two days he hid in a rock crevice, with only a service pistol for defense. SME ↗

According to American sources cited by the AP and AFP news agencies, the CIA deployed an extensive disinformation campaign — spreading a false report in Iran that the serviceman had already been found and that a ground evacuation was underway. The goal was to divert Iranian patrols away from his actual position. American officials described the operation as: "searching for a needle in a haystack — with the needle being a brave American soul inside a mountain crevice." Denník N ↗

The rescue itself took place on Sunday, involving hundreds of special forces personnel, according to some media reports including the elite Navy SEAL Team 6 and the helicopter unit 160th SOAR, nicknamed the "Night Stalkers." Dozens of combat aircraft and helicopters penetrated deep into Iranian territory. According to several American media outlets, exchanges of fire with Iranian forces also occurred during the operation. Trump wrote on Truth Social: "WE GOT HIM!" adding: "This brave soldier was behind enemy lines in the treacherous Iranian mountains, hunted by our enemies. He sustained injuries, but he will be fine." Refresher.sk ↗

The material losses of the operation were significant, though their nature differs from what initial reports suggested. According to American media including CBS News and ABC News, two MC-130J Commando II transport aircraft broke down at a makeshift airfield in Iran, and American forces subsequently deliberately destroyed them so they would not fall into enemy hands. For the same reason, according to The War Zone, MH-6 Little Bird helicopters used to transport special forces across mountainous terrain were also destroyed. Deník.cz ↗

Iran's Revolutionary Guards claim that additional American aircraft were also hit during the operation. According to the Iranian Fars news agency, this involved an aircraft in Isfahan province, destroyed by the Faraj unit. According to some sources, an American A-10 Warthog attack aircraft was also hit — its pilot reportedly ejected over Kuwait and was rescued. During Friday's rescue action, two Black Hawk helicopters were also hit, their crews suffering injuries, though the aircraft managed to return. Aktuality.sk ↗

Iran overall claims that it destroyed several American aircraft during the search operations. The American side has neither fully confirmed nor denied these claims, but has acknowledged incidents involving several of its own aircraft — mostly due to deliberate destruction or technical problems. Pravda ↗

Trump presented the outcome of the operation as proof of American military dominance: "The fact that we were able to carry out both of these operations without a single American killed or injured once again proves that we have achieved overwhelming air superiority over Iranian airspace." However, this claim contradicts the available information — the weapons systems officer was seriously injured, and according to NBC News, the crews of the hit Black Hawk helicopters were also injured. TA3 ↗

The downing of the F-15E Strike Eagle is also notable from a historical perspective. The F-15 type holds a legendary air-combat record — more than 100 victories without a single loss in aircraft-to-aircraft combat. In this case, however, the fighter jet was hit by ground-based air defense, which is a different category. F-15Es have been lost in combat operations before, including during the 1991 Gulf War. Novinky.cz ↗