WASHINGTON — US special operations forces rescued the second crew member of an F-15 fighter jet downed over Iran, Axios reported Saturday, citing US officials.The operation concluded a tense 36-hour search-and-rescue mission in southwest Iran, where US forces and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were reportedly moving toward the same location.With the latest extraction, both crew members have now been recovered.US officials said the mission was carried out by an elite commando unit supported by extensive air cover, with all American personnel safely exiting Iran.Two sources said the pilot and weapons systems officer maintained communication after ejecting from the aircraft.The pilot was recovered within hours of the jet being shot down, while the second crew member was located and rescued more than a day later.US special forces conducted operations inside Iran on Friday and Saturday as part of the mission.After locating the second crew member, US forces launched a rescue operation while IRGC units were advancing toward the area, reportedly to intercept.Sources said US Air Force aircraft struck Iranian forces to prevent them from reaching the site.The New York Times reported that two transport aircraft used in the mission became disabled at a remote base in Iran, prompting US commanders to dispatch replacement aircraft and destroy the grounded planes to prevent them from being captured.US President Donald Trump and senior officials monitored the operation from the White House Situation Room.During the earlier phase of the mission, an Iranian strike hit a US Black Hawk helicopter involved in the rescue, injuring several personnel, though the aircraft remained operational.WASHINGTON — US special operations forces rescued the second crew member of an F-15 fighter jet downed over Iran, Axios reported Saturday, citing US officials.The operation concluded a tense 36-hour search-and-rescue mission in southwest Iran, where US forces and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were reportedly moving toward the same location.With the latest extraction, both crew members have now been recovered.US officials said the mission was carried out by an elite commando unit supported by extensive air cover, with all American personnel safely exiting Iran.Two sources said the pilot and weapons systems officer maintained communication after ejecting from the aircraft.The pilot was recovered within hours of the jet being shot down, while the second crew member was located and rescued more than a day later.US special forces conducted operations inside Iran on Friday and Saturday as part of the mission.After locating the second crew member, US forces launched a rescue operation while IRGC units were advancing toward the area, reportedly to intercept.Sources said US Air Force aircraft struck Iranian forces to prevent them from reaching the site.The New York Times reported that two transport aircraft used in the mission became disabled at a remote base in Iran, prompting US commanders to dispatch replacement aircraft and destroy the grounded planes to prevent them from being captured.US President Donald Trump and senior officials monitored the operation from the White House Situation Room.During the earlier phase of the mission, an Iranian strike hit a US Black Hawk helicopter involved in the rescue, injuring several personnel, though the aircraft remained operational.
