US Rescues Second Crew Member of Downed F-15 After 36-Hour Operation in Iran
US special operations forces have rescued the second crew member of an F-15 fighter jet shot down over Iran, bringing a tense 36-hour search-and-rescue mission to a close, according to US officials cited by Axios.
The operation unfolded in southwest Iran, where both US forces and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were reportedly racing to reach the stranded American officer.
With the latest extraction completed on Saturday, both crew members from the downed aircraft are now safe.
US officials said the mission was carried out by an elite commando unit supported by heavy air cover. All American personnel involved have since exited Iranian territory.
Sources indicated that the pilot and the weapons systems officer were able to communicate after ejecting from the aircraft. The pilot was recovered within hours of the incident, while the second crew member remained missing for more than a day before being located.
US special forces conducted multiple incursions into Iran on Friday and Saturday as part of the search effort. Once the second crew member was found, American forces launched a rapid extraction operation, even as IRGC units reportedly advanced toward the same location.
To secure the rescue, US Air Force aircraft carried out strikes on Iranian forces approaching the area, preventing interference with the mission.
According to The New York Times, complications arose after the rescue when two transport aircraft tasked with evacuating US personnel became stranded at a remote base inside Iran. Commanders responded by dispatching three replacement planes and destroying the disabled aircraft to prevent them from falling into Iranian hands.
The mission was closely monitored from the White House Situation Room by US President Donald Trump and senior administration officials.
During an earlier phase of the operation on Friday, an Iranian strike hit a US Black Hawk helicopter involved in the rescue of the pilot. Several personnel were injured, but the aircraft remained operational and completed its mission.
