After a daring combat search and rescue operation, the U.S. military recovered the F-15 weapon systems officer who had been evading Iranian forces since Friday.
This was one of the most impressive operations of its kind in recent history, involving hundreds of special operators, conventional forces, and intelligence officers, and scores of aircraft.
On Friday, Iranian forces shot down a two-seat U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle over southern Iran. Both the pilot and weapons systems officer managed to eject safely. Immediately, the U.S. military launched a combat search and rescue operation to exfiltrate the two aviators. Time was of the essence as Iranian forces began a determined hunt for the airmen.
The F-15 pilot was rescued on Friday. But the weapon systems officer remained on the run. Then, on Saturday evening, he was located and exfiltrated from near the town of Dehdasht in central Iran.
Sandboxx News understands that the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) played a key role in the operation.
First, special operators established a forward operating base inside Iran to support the operation. MC-130J Commando and other transport aircraft ferried fuel and supplies for the helicopters participating in the search. They also ferried special operators on specially designed vehicles. The established Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) allowed rotary-wing assets involved in the operation, including AH-6 and MH-6 Little Birds from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, nicknamed the “Night Stalkers,” to support the operation without stop.
Second, the weapon systems officer hiked up a 7,000ft ridgeline, ensuring that he had the advantage of the high ground, which would also facilitate easier communications with the rescue force. Fighter jets, close air support aircraft, and helicopters attacked Iranian forces converging in the area to keep them at bay. A special operations element located the airman and an MH-6 Little Bird helicopter flew him to the forward base.
However, once the force was ready to exfiltrate from Iran, two C-130 transport planes got stuck in the sand. At least one AH/MH-6 Little Bird was also unable to take off. Three additional aircraft reportedly flew in to exfiltrate the force, while JSOC forces had to destroy both C-130s to prevent them from being captured by the Iranian forces that were closing in.
The aviator’s tenacity was remarkable. He managed to evade Iranian forces for over 24 hours in hostile territory with little supplies thereby ensuring his survival and avoiding a major propaganda coup for the enemy.
At the same time, the CIA was spreading misinformation inside Iran to confuse the searchers. The goal was to make the Iranians believe that both aviators had been rescued and to stop the search. That was partly the reason why the White House and the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) did not make any communications about the incident throughout the operation.
The rescued Airman’s F-15 was the first aircraft to be downed over Iran since Operation Epic Fury began on February 28.
All in all, the operation was one of the most intensive of its kind in recent history. The last time so many assets and troops were dedicated to a combat search and rescue operation was in the search for Navy SEAL Marcus Lutrell after his team was compromised by Taliban fighters in 2005 during Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan.
Feature Image: West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare (NSW) operators prepare to board an MH-47G Chinook helicopter assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment “Night Stalkers” while conducting nighttime helicopter roping suspension technique (HRST) training at Silver Strand Training Complex. Naval Special Warfare is the nation’s elite maritime special operations force, uniquely positioned to extend the Fleet’s reach and gain and maintain access for the Joint Force in competition and conflict. (Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Charles Propert/Naval Special Warfare Group ONE)
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