US forced to destroy two of its own aircraft after rescuing F-15 pilot from Iran

American forces were compelled to destroy two aircraft during a rescue operation for one of the crew members of an F-15 fighter jet shot down over Iran.

Source: CBS News, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The channel's sources report that on Friday, US President Donald Trump paused some other operations in Iran to prioritise the search and rescue operation for the F-15 officer.

Hundreds of special forces fighters were deployed to carry out the operation, concentrating their efforts on the crew member's emergency beacon.

Sources confirmed to CBS News that American special forces rescued the missing crew member in a complex operation involving dozens of special forces fighters, as well as several dozen military aircraft and helicopters.

Two officials said the rescued officer was flown to Kuwait for treatment of his injuries.

Officials stated that bombs and fire support were used during the military operation to keep Iranian forces away from the location where the missing officer was believed to be sheltering.

According to two officials, he had only a pistol for self-defence.

Two transport aircraft tasked with evacuating the special forces unit were unable to take off from a remote base in Iran. These aircraft were destroyed to prevent them from falling into enemy hands, sources said. The special forces therefore departed on three additional aircraft that were sent for them.

The three rescue aircraft flew from Iran to Kuwait in close formation, officials stated. The mission was completed shortly before midnight and all American forces left Iranian airspace.

The CIA played an active role in the rescue operation, a senior Trump administration official told CBS News on Sunday.

Prior to locating the pilot, the CIA launched a deception operation, disseminating information across Iran that American forces had already found him and were moving him overland.

According to the official, while the deception operation was under way, the agency used its capabilities to track the crew member, who was located in a mountain gorge.

The CIA provided the crew member's precise location to the Pentagon and the White House. The President ordered an immediate rescue operation, with the CIA continuing to provide real-time information.

Background:

• On 3 April, it emerged that an American F-15 had been shot down over Iranian territory, the first such loss to hostile fire during the campaign. One crew member was recovered by American forces, while the fate of his crewmate was at that point unknown.
• Axios reported, citing sources, that American special forces had rescued the second crew member of the F-15 shot down over Iranian territory.
• Donald Trump subsequently also confirmed the officer's rescue.

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