{"id":18509,"date":"2026-04-05T15:36:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T15:36:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/how-a-group-of-commandos-pulled-off-risky-night-mission-to-extract-us-airman-from-deep-inside-iran\/"},"modified":"2026-04-05T15:36:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T15:36:12","slug":"how-a-group-of-commandos-pulled-off-risky-night-mission-to-extract-us-airman-from-deep-inside-iran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/how-a-group-of-commandos-pulled-off-risky-night-mission-to-extract-us-airman-from-deep-inside-iran\/","title":{"rendered":"How a group of commandos pulled off risky night mission to extract US airman from deep inside Iran"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div data-testid=\"ad-sticky-container\" class=\"sc-37562b78-0 iLENDS\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 evuabm adWrapper noPrint sc-1c01c11e-0 jLbRED\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<header class=\"sc-ad76bc40-0 fNDZoQ\">\n<div class=\"sc-5cbbddda-0 hjlPcO\">\n<div data-testid=\"article-author\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-1 hPBdKJ\" readability=\"9\">\n<div readability=\"13\">\n<p><span class=\"sc-5cbbddda-4 borCAt\">Eric Schmitt<\/span>, <span class=\"sc-5cbbddda-4 borCAt\">Helene Cooper<\/span>, <span class=\"sc-5cbbddda-4 borCAt\">Greg Jaffe<\/span> and <span class=\"sc-5cbbddda-4 borCAt\">Julian E. Barnes<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"article-datetime\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-5 hxoHkT\"><span class=\"sc-a243f860-0 gjmXPs\">Updated <time data-testid=\"storytile-timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-04-06T01:26:42+10:00\">April 6, 2026<!-- --> &mdash; 1:26am<\/time>,<\/span><span aria-hidden=\"true\" data-testid=\"wbr-separator\" class=\"sc-a243f860-1 jIzAbi\"><\/span><span class=\"sc-a243f860-0 gjmXPs\">first published <time data-testid=\"storytile-timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-04-05T14:21:37+10:00\">2:21pm<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-0 efdRpd noPrint\" data-testid=\"article-actions\">\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-1 iddmiW\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga\" readability=\"8.5431472081218\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 kskMyR sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 jfkHmu sc-369d9219-0 eXOXvX\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"9\">\n<p class=\"sc-369d9219-1 bOiPYX\">Save this article for later<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-369d9219-2 bufJxo\">Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/12-weeks-jail-for-school-it-support-technician-who-took-upskirt-videos-of-teachers\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">&lt;div&gt;12 weeks' jail for school IT support technician who took upskirt videos of teachers&lt;\/div&gt;<\/span><\/a><\/div><p><button type=\"button\" class=\"sc-3f16ee48-0 sc-3f16ee48-6 sc-369d9219-3 bQUHHf bbwrGd jdMUKO\">Got it<\/button><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><button aria-label=\"Set font size to normal\" aria-pressed=\"true\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 yiNod\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to larger\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqtnv\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to very large\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqrHP\">A<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<aside class=\"sc-6f94ac39-6 esmrVF\"><\/aside>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"23\">\n<p><strong>Washington: <\/strong>An air force officer whose fighter jet had been shot down in Iran was rescued by US Special Operations forces in a risky Saturday night (Tehran time) mission that took commandos deep into enemy territory, President Donald Trump said on social media on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>The rescue followed a life-or-death race between US and Iranian forces that stretched over two days to reach the injured airman, who is a weapons system officer, current and former US officials said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.159%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_30%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/f25ff0881cf8104e60c5476df96b96139c8b8527, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.159%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_30%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/f25ff0881cf8104e60c5476df96b96139c8b8527 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.159%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_30%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/f25ff0881cf8104e60c5476df96b96139c8b8527, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.159%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_30%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/f25ff0881cf8104e60c5476df96b96139c8b8527 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"An F-15E Strike Eagle like the one shot down in Iran.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.159,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_30,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/f25ff0881cf8104e60c5476df96b96139c8b8527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.159%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_30%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/f25ff0881cf8104e60c5476df96b96139c8b8527, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.159%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_30%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/f25ff0881cf8104e60c5476df96b96139c8b8527 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>An F-15E Strike Eagle like the one shot down in Iran.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">AP<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In the end, Navy SEAL Team 6 commandos extracted the officer in a massive operation that involved about 100 special operations troops and other military personnel.<\/p>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/migrant-acquitted-in-first-trial-over-us-border-military-zones\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">Migrant acquitted in first trial over US border military zones<\/span><\/a><\/div><p>There had been no US casualties among the rescue team, Trump said. All the commandos and the weapons officer returned safely. Rescue planes flew the injured airman to Kuwait for medical treatment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"29.842323651452\">\n<p>&ldquo;WE GOT HIM!&rdquo; Trump exclaimed in the social media post. &ldquo;This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The two crew members of the F-15E Strike Eagle, the first lost to enemy fire in the month-long war, had both ejected from the cockpit on Friday after Iran&rsquo;s military struck their plane. The jet&rsquo;s pilot was quickly rescued, but the weapons systems officer could not be found, setting off an urgent search with major consequences for Trump and the war that the US and Israel launched on February 28.<\/p>\n<p>Finding the downed airman, who had been hiding with little more than a pistol as defence, had been the US military&rsquo;s highest priority over the past 48 hours.<\/p>\n<p>After ejecting from the F-15E, the officer hid in a mountain crevice, his location initially unknown to either Americans trying to rescue him, or Iranians trying to capture him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"34\">\n<p>The CIA initiated a deception campaign to try to confuse Iranian forces and convince them the airman had already been rescued and was moving out of the country in a ground convoy, a senior administration official said. The agency also ultimately found the airman&rsquo;s hiding place, passing the information onto the Pentagon, which mounted the rescue operation, the senior administration official said.<\/p>\n<p>The mission to save the crew member employed hundreds of special forces troops and other military personnel, dozens of US warplanes, helicopters and cyber, space and other intelligence capabilities.<\/p>\n<p>The airman had evaded Iranian forces for more than 24 hours, at one point hiking up a 2100-metre ridgeline, a senior US military official said. US attack aircraft dropped bombs and opened fire on Iranian convoys to keep them away from the area where the airman was hiding. As US commandos converged on the downed airman, they fired their weapons to keep Iranian forces away from the rescue site, but did not engage in a firefight with the Iranians, a US military official said.<\/p>\n<p>The airman was equipped with a beacon and a secure communication device for co-ordinating with forces mounting the rescue. But the airman restricted the use of his beacon because Iranian forces could have detected its signal as well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"26.312074829932\">\n<p>A senior US military official described the mission to rescue the airman as one of the most challenging and complex in the history of US special operations, given the mountainous terrain, the airman&rsquo;s injuries and Iranian forces rushing to the location.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 EmFFd\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 ePqZbx\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2814%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_33%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/754a02d634f89f50d340897435668bdc12c4f47c, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2814%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_33%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/754a02d634f89f50d340897435668bdc12c4f47c 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2814%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_33%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/754a02d634f89f50d340897435668bdc12c4f47c, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2814%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_33%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/754a02d634f89f50d340897435668bdc12c4f47c 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump last week.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.2814,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_33,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/754a02d634f89f50d340897435668bdc12c4f47c\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2814%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_33%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/754a02d634f89f50d340897435668bdc12c4f47c, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2814%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_33%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/754a02d634f89f50d340897435668bdc12c4f47c 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>In a final twist, after the weapons officer was rescued, two transport planes that were to carry the commandos and the airman to safety got stuck at a remote base in Iran. Commanders decided to fly in three new planes to extract all the US military personnel and the airman, and they blew up the two disabled planes rather than have them fall into Iranian hands.<\/p>\n<p>The F-15E fighter jet was shot down in a region of Iran where there is significant opposition to the Iranian government. As a result, the airman may have been able to rely on locals for shelter and assistance.<\/p>\n<p>The crash drew the attention of Iranian military forces, who were reported to have been scouring the area. The Iranian government asked locals for help finding the downed airman and had offered a reward for his capture.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"11.424\">\n<p>The CIA often also plays a role in making contact with civilians willing to help vulnerable troops stay alive, a process known as &ldquo;unconventional assisted recovery&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<p><strong>This article originally appeared in <em>The New York Times<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Get a note directly from our foreign <\/i><\/b><b><i>correspondents <\/i><\/b><b><i>on what&rsquo;s making headlines around the world. <\/i><\/b><b><i>Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter<\/i><\/b><b><i>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"article-footer\" class=\"sc-780f6c39-0 fWnQtB\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-1 bhFzjY noPrint\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-2 ksUUFP\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga sc-780f6c39-3 fMMhlQ\" readability=\"6.3137254901961\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 yEdFV sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"sc-3dbe4134-0 iIZygf sc-df8e6ee0-0 noPrint\" data-an-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-group=\"everything\" data-an-cu-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-position=\"4\" data-testid=\"from-our-partners-strap\">\n<header class=\"sc-84567ec1-0 hpMljf\">\n<h2 data-pb-type=\"hi\" class=\"sc-84567ec1-1 weWOF\"><span>From our partners<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"sc-df8e6ee0-1 iJvgCK\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 blRVQF adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-2 gcpFZE\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 blRVQF adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-3 fIPZKC\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><sub>How a group of commandos pulled off risky night mission to extract US airman from deep inside Iran<\/sub><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Advertisement Eric Schmitt, Helene Cooper, Greg Jaffe and Julian E. Barnes Updated April 6, 2026 &mdash; 1:26am,first published 2:21pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime&#8230;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/how-a-group-of-commandos-pulled-off-risky-night-mission-to-extract-us-airman-from-deep-inside-iran\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;How a group of commandos pulled off risky night mission to extract US airman from deep inside Iran&rdquo;<\/span> &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18510,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18509","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18509","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18509"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18509\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18509"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18509"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18509"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}