Commandos went deep into Iran to rescue downed airman: US media

## Summary
A still image purporting to show US aircraft destroyed during the US mission to find a stranded airman in Iran, the Revolutionary Guards said, according to Iranian media, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Isfahan, Iran, released on Apr 5, 2026. (Image: Reuters/Social media) 05 Apr 2026 06:40PM (Updated: 05 Apr 2026 10:13PM) Bookmark Bookmark Share WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Set CNA as your preferred source on Google Add CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results. Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST WASHINGTON: American commandos deployed deep into Iranian territory to rescue a downed airman , US news outlets reported on Sunday (Apr 5), hours after President Donald Trump announced that the crew member had been recovered "safe and sound". A still image purporting to show US aircraft destroyed during the US mission to find a stranded airman in Iran, the Revolutionary Guards said, according to Iranian media, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Isfahan, Iran, released on Apr 5, 2026. (Image: Reuters/Social media) COMPLEX OPERATION Two of the planes meant to transport the airman and his rescuers to safety were stuck in a remote base in Iran and had to be destroyed to prevent them from falling into Iranian hands, the New York Times and CBS reported. Related: US rescues airman from Iran as Trump, Israel ratchet up pressure Iran military says destroyed US aircraft involved in search for airman Source: AFP/co Sign up for our newsletters Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox Subscribe here Get the CNA app Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories Download here Get WhatsApp alerts Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app Join here Related Topics War on Iran United States Iran Donald Trump Advertisement Also worth reading Content is loading...

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Commandos went deep into Iran to rescue downed airman: US media
The airman, a weapon systems officer, was wounded after the ejection but could still walk, reportedly evading capture in the mountains for more than a day.
A still image purporting to show US aircraft destroyed during the US mission to find a stranded airman in Iran, the Revolutionary Guards said, according to Iranian media, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Isfahan, Iran, released on Apr 5, 2026. (Image: Reuters/Social media)
05 Apr 2026 06:40PM
(Updated: 05 Apr 2026 10:13PM)
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WASHINGTON: American commandos deployed deep into Iranian territory to
rescue a downed airman
, US news outlets reported on Sunday (Apr 5), hours after President Donald Trump announced that the crew member had been recovered "safe and sound".
Tehran said this week it had
shot down an F-15 warplane
, the first US fighter jet to go down inside Iran since the start of the war. Washington has not confirmed the details of how the fighter went down.
Trump said early on Sunday the US military had "pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND!".
In a subsequent post, Trump described the rescue mission - as well as another operation to pick up the pilot - as "an AMAZING show of bravery and talent by all!".
"I will be having a News Conference, with the Military, at the Oval Office, on Monday, at 1PM (1700 GMT)," he added.
Navy SEAL Team 6 commandos were tasked with extracting the airman, while US attack aircraft dropped bombs and opened fire on Iranian convoys to keep them away, the New York Times reported, citing an unidentified official.
The airman, a weapon systems officer, was wounded after the ejection but could still walk, evading capture in the mountains for more than a day, according to news outlet Axios, which cited a US official.
The unidentified airman was equipped with a pistol, a beacon and a secure communications device to coordinate with rescuers, the New York Times reported.
American commandos converging on the officer fired their weapons to keep Iranian forces away from the rescue site, the Times said.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that he had directed the US military to send "dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve" him.
"He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine," Trump wrote.
His second post however said the airman had been "seriously wounded", without elaborating.
A still image purporting to show US aircraft destroyed during the US mission to find a stranded airman in Iran, the Revolutionary Guards said, according to Iranian media, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Isfahan, Iran, released on Apr 5, 2026. (Image: Reuters/Social media)
COMPLEX OPERATION
Two of the planes meant to transport the airman and his rescuers to safety were stuck in a remote base in Iran and had to be destroyed to prevent them from falling into Iranian hands, the New York Times and CBS reported.
US forces then used three other transport planes to carry the airman and his rescuers out of Iran.
The Iranian military said on Sunday the US operation to rescue the airman had used an abandoned airport in southern Isfahan province.
Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesman for the Iranian military's central command, also said two US "C-130 military transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters were destroyed".
The CIA reportedly launched a deception campaign to spread word inside Iran that US forces were moving the airman out of the country on the ground.
In his initial post, Trump confirmed the "successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday", adding it was not disclosed to avoid jeopardising the second rescue mission.
"This is the first time in military memory that two US Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory," he wrote, adding that both operations were concluded "without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded".
AFP has contacted the White House for further comment. The Pentagon directed AFP to Trump's social media post announcing the rescue.
Related:
US rescues airman from Iran as Trump, Israel ratchet up pressure
Iran military says destroyed US aircraft involved in search for airman
Source: AFP/co
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
N/A

### Implications
- Advertisement World Commandos went deep into Iran to rescue downed airman: US media The airman, a weapon systems officer, was wounded after the ejection but could still walk, reportedly evading capture in the mountains for more than a day.
- In a subsequent post, Trump described the rescue mission - as well as another operation to pick up the pilot - as "an AMAZING show of bravery and talent by all!". "I will be having a News Conference, with the Military, at the Oval Office, on Monday, at 1PM (1700 GMT)," he added.
- The airman, a weapon systems officer, was wounded after the ejection but could still walk, evading capture in the mountains for more than a day, according to news outlet Axios, which cited a US official.
- Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that he had directed the US military to send "dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve" him. "He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine," Trump wrote.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers iran, airman, rescue topics. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 909.