What Actually Happened Over Iran

Peloni:  Iran International reports that two Israeli commando units, Sayeret Matkal and Unit 5101 “Shaldag”, were also involved in the rescue.  G_d Bless and Protect the men and women of the American Armed forces and the IDF!

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NOW THAT THE CREW IS RESCUED — WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED OVER IRAN

Both crew members of the downed F-15E Strike Eagle are safe. President Trump posted “We got him” on Truth Social Saturday night. The WSO — a Colonel — sustained injuries but is expected to make a full recovery. Now that the fog of war is clearing, here’s the full operational picture of the most dangerous combat search and rescue mission since Operation Epic Fury began.

The Shootdown — April 3, 2026

An F-15E Strike Eagle from the 494th Fighter Squadron, deployed from RAF Lakenheath in the UK, was shot down by Iranian fire over southwestern Iran while conducting a deep strike mission — the kind of high-risk penetration run the F-15E was built for. It was the first U.S. manned fighter lost over enemy territory in over 20 years.

The specific weapon system that brought it down has not been officially confirmed by the Pentagon. Iran claimed it used a “new air defense system” — analysts assess the most likely candidates are Iran’s Bavar-373, the Russian-made S-300, or the Russian-supplied Verba MANPADS. Iran initially claimed they’d downed an F-35 — wreckage photos confirmed it was an F-15E.

Both crew members — the pilot and the weapons systems officer — ejected safely and made contact via encrypted radio and emergency beacons. But they landed in separate locations in hostile, mountainous terrain. The clock was already ticking.

Phase 1: The Pilot Rescue — April 3, Hours After Ejection

U.S. special operations forces located the pilot first. Two military helicopters — including HH-60W Jolly Green II combat rescue helicopters — went in to extract him from Iranian territory.

The extraction was not clean. During the rescue, Iranian forces struck the U.S. Blackhawk helicopter that was carrying the recovered pilot. Crew members on the helicopter were wounded by the hit — but the aircraft remained flyable and made it out with everyone on board.

Simultaneously, an A-10 Warthog providing close air support was hit by Iranian fire. The pilot managed to reach Kuwaiti airspace before ejecting. That pilot was also recovered safely. The U.S. had three separate rescue operations running concurrently.

The Hunt for the WSO — 24+ Hours Behind Enemy Lines

The weapons systems officer — a Colonel — was wounded after ejecting but could still walk. He carried out SERE protocol: movement, concealment, beacon activation, and evasion.

He evaded for over 24 hours. During that time, Iranian forces actively hunted him. Then Iranian state television escalated the situation.

A broadcaster placed a bounty on the missing American: approximately $60,000 for his capture alive.

The CIA Played Iran

The CIA launched a deception campaign, spreading disinformation that the WSO had already been recovered. While Iranian forces chased false leads, the Agency used its “unique, exquisite capabilities” to locate him.

The Extraction — Massive Firefight, Planes Destroyed, Everyone Home

A special operations ground force linked up with the WSO and began extraction under heavy air cover. U.S. forces destroyed roads to slow Iranian response.

Then complications arose: two C-130 transport planes got stuck on the ground. The decision was made to destroy them in place and bring in three replacement C-130s.

A massive firefight followed. Despite everything — every American made it out alive.
Zero U.S. casualties in the WSO rescue.

Israel’s Role

Israel actively helped locate the WSO and cancelled planned strikes to avoid interfering with the rescue. The IDF effectively cleared the operational space.

Trump and the White House

The White House delayed confirming the first rescue to protect the second. Trump later confirmed the operation and stated the Colonel would recover.

The Full Operational Toll

In the 48 hours surrounding the operation:

1 F-15E Strike Eagle — shot down. Both crew rescued.
1 A-10 Warthog — hit and crashed. Pilot rescued.
1 Blackhawk helicopter — struck, crew wounded, aircraft survived.
2 C-130 transports — destroyed in place.
3 replacement C-130s — flown in under fire.
0 American lives lost.

The United States lost four aircraft and had a fifth damaged — and brought every single American home alive.

They got shot down. They evaded capture for a day with a bounty on their head. The CIA ran deception inside a hostile country. Special operators fought their way in and out. They destroyed their own aircraft rather than leave them. And they brought everyone home.

That’s the American military. That’s what actually happened.

 

April 5, 2026 | Comments »

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