WASHINGTON, 05 April. - (ANA) - It's becoming clear this rescue was a hugely complex operation involving significant US military resources, with hundreds of special forces personnel, several dozen warplanes and helicopters tasked with the search.

 

CBS News describes how the airman, the Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) who sits in the second seat of the F-15E Strike Eagle, was injured during the ejection process over southern Iran.

 

The downed jet was first F-15E Strike Eagle to be shot down in combat in more than 20 years.

 

The "Wizzo", a colonel who has not been named, suffered some injuries but is reported to have been able to walk away, evading capture for more than a day. He was armed only with a handgun.

 

US forces are reported to have used bombs and weapons fire to keep Iranian troops away from the officer’s location. A firefight broke out too, it is reported, with Iranian troops.

 

Two of the five US transport planes used in the rescue are reported to have not been able to take off from inside Iran. They were destroyed to stop them being captured. - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/05 April 2026 - - -